Authors' objectives:

To summarize the available evidence on the use of omalizumab to treat allergy-related asthma in patients aged 12 and older.

Authors' results and conclusions: Eleven randomized controlled trials in asthma were identified and reviewed.

Authors' recommendations: The evidence shows that omalizumab can reduce the incidence of asthma-related hospitalizations, but it has yet to demonstrate an overall net health benefit. An increase in overall morbidity (as evident from the increased occurrence of serious and life-threatening experiences during the trials) was observed in the standard-care control and placebo control studies. The difference between asthma-related and overall morbidity may be partly explained by the increased rate of specific serious adverse events, such as malignancies. Omalizumab has also reduced the proportion of individuals experiencing asthma exacerbations who require medical attention. At the same time, a significant proportion of individuals may require medical attention or discontinuation of omalizumab due to intolerable side effects.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/

Year Published: 2003

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)