From regulatory limitations to new opportunities: Real-life experience on the effectiveness of short courses of omalizumab in the treatment of chronic idiopatic urticaria.
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| Abstract |
Economic sustainability of long-term continuous treatment of antihistamine refractory chronic urticaria with omalizumab may be an issue. We assessed the efficacy of relatively short courses (5-6 months) of omalizumab in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). We retrospectively studied 40 patients (observed between June 2015 and January 2019) affected by moderate-to-severe CIU refractory to anti-H1 antihistamines (up to fourfold doses). Omalizumab was administered every 4 weeks for 24 weeks, then for 20 weeks in case of a relapse of moderate-to-severe degree, then again for 24 weeks in case of a second relapse. Monthly clinical evaluations were performed. Mean disease severity significantly dropped after 1 month and further decreased thereafter, with 30 complete remissions after the first course of treatment. In 2-4 months, 18 patients had a relapse of moderate-to-severe degree. The profile of response to the second course of omalizumab was similar to the first. A third course was necessary for seven patients. No adverse effects were recorded. Courses of 5-6 months of omalizumab may induce rapid significant improvement of urticaria and many prolonged complete remissions. In case of relapse, further courses show a similar profile of response and may induce additional long-term complete remissions.
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| Authors | Valeria Papaianni, Fabrizio Guarneri, Mario Vaccaro, Francesco Borgia, Claudio Guarneri, Serafinella P Cannavò |
| Journal | Dermatologic therapy (Dermatol Ther) Vol. 33 Issue 1 Pg. e13188 (01 2020) ISSN: 1529-8019 [Electronic] United States |
| PMID | 31837248 (Publication Type: Journal Article) |
| Copyright | © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
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