Anti-IgE and other new immunomodulation-based therapies for allergic asthma

Neth J Med. 2005 Apr;63(4):121-8.

Abstract

Understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms in asthma has lead to the recognition of a number of potential therapeutic targets, a few of which have been evaluated in clinical studies. Parenteral administrations of both anti-IL-5 and IL-12 inhibit eosinophil recruitment to the airways, but display a lack of clinical efficacy. Interrupting the IL-4 pathway thus far has also shown disappointing results in clinical studies. Omalizumab is the first anti-IgE monoclonal antibody developed for the treatment of moderate to severe asthmatics to receive FDA approval. In a number of clinical trials treatment with omalizumab was associated with moderate improvements in a number of relevant endpoints, including the rate of occurrence of disease exacerbations. Newer DNA-based therapeutic strategies including DNA vaccination and the antisense oligonucleotides show promise but thus far have only been tested in animal models.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Allergic Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / immunology
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology*
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Interleukin-12 / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-12 / therapeutic use
  • Omalizumab
  • Receptors, Interleukin / drug effects
  • Receptors, Interleukin-4 / drug effects
  • Receptors, Interleukin-5

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • Receptors, Interleukin-4
  • Receptors, Interleukin-5
  • anti-IgE antibodies
  • Interleukin-12
  • Omalizumab
  • Immunoglobulin E