Recently published on "Pediatric Allergy and Immunology", a Systematic review on the use of omalizumab for the treatment of  asthmatic children and adolescents

AUTHORS: Rodrigo G.J., Neffen H.

SUMMARY

There is less data on omalizumab treatment in pediatric asthma than in  adult population. Thus, to establish the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous omalizumab as add on therapy, a systematic review of placebo-controlled studies was performed.

Primary outcome was the frequency of asthma exacerbations. Secondary outcomes included spirometric measures, rescue medication use, asthma symptoms, health-related quality of life, and adverse events.

In this systematic review with meta-analysis is showed that in school-age children and adolescents with moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma  uncontrolled despite receiving the recommended inhaled steroid treatment, the subcutaneous injection of omalizumab was superior to placebo in preventing asthma exacerbation both at the end of the stable-steroid phase and in the adjustable-steroid phase. The magnitude of the number needed to treat for benefit suggests a clinically worthwhile benefit. No significant adverse events were seen among patients treated with omalizumab in studies longer until 1 year. Although the results from these three trials were similar to those reported for adults and adolescents, we need more studies in pediatric population.

Go to the article.