Remission of chronic urticaria in patients treated with omalizumab.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the remission probability and duration in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients resistant to second-generation H1-antihistamines (sgAHs) undergoing omalizumab treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of 176 adult CSU patients exhibiting a significant pruritus component (≥ 8) of the weekly urticaria activity score (UAS7) despite four daily sgAH tablets and starting omalizumab treatment with 300 mg every 4 weeks. After excluding 13 nonresponders, we analyzed 163 omalizumab responders (mean age 51.8 years, 74.4% female). The intervals between applications were increased. Discontinuation was considered for patients that remained asymptomatic on a gradually reduced dosage (to 150 mg every 12 weeks) without sgAHs. RESULTS: Omalizumab discontinuation was possible in 25.8% (42/163). The duration of omalizumab treatment before remission ranged from 7 to 63 months. Twenty-one patients (50.0%) maintained complete remission until the end of the observation period (September 2021) for 8 to 68 months. Of the relapsed patients, 71.4% (15/21) effectively controlled CSU with sgAHs. Six patients (28.6%; 6/21) required omalizumab reintroduction after 6 to 40 months of remission, responding favorably. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that a quarter of severe CSU patients achieve long-term remission. In addition, sgAHs effectively manage symptoms in a majority of relapsed cases, and those requiring omalizumab reintroduction respond favorably.

Inhibitory effect of phellodendrine on C48/80-induced allergic reaction in vitro and in vivo.

The incidence of allergic reactions has risen steadily in recent years, prompting growing interest in the identification of efficacious and safe natural compounds that can prevent or treat allergic diseases. Phellodendron amurense Rupr. has long been applied as a treatment for allergic diseases, whose primary component is phellodendrine. However, the efficacy of phellodendrine as a treatment for allergic diseases remains to be assessed. Mast cells are the primary effectors of allergic reactions, which are not only activated by IgE-dependent pathway, but also by IgE-independent pathways via human MRGPRX2, rat counterpart MRGPRB3. As such, this study explored the effect and mechanism of phellodendrine through this family receptors in treating allergic diseases in vitro and in vivo. These analyses revealed that phellodendrine administration was sufficient to protect against C48/80-induced foot swelling and Evans blue exudation in mice, and suppressed C48/80-induced RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells degranulation, and ß-HEX, HIS, IL-4, and TNF-α release. Moreover, phellodendrine could reduce the mRNA expression of MRGPRB3 and responsiveness of MRGPRX2 by altering its structure. It was able to decrease Ca2+ levels, phosphorylation levels of CaMK, PLCß1, PKC, ERK, JNK, p38, and p65, and inhibit the degradation of IκB-α. These analyses indicate that berberine inhibits the activation of PLC and downregulates the release of Ca2+ in the endoplasmic reticulum by altering the conformation of MRGPRB3/MRGPRX2 protein, thereby inhibiting the activation of PKC and subsequently inhibiting downstream MAPK and NF-κB signaling, ultimately suppressing allergic reactions. There may thus be further value in studies focused on developing phellodendrine as a novel anti-allergic drug.

Comparative efficacy and safety of the treatment by Omalizumab for chronic idiopathic urticaria in the general population: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Omalizumab is the only licensed drug that serves as a third-line treatment for chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). The optimum doses of omalizumab remain controversial. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the efficacy and safety of different doses of omalizumab in the treatment of CIU patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four databases were searched from the database's creation to April 8, 2023. Several keywords such as omalizumab and urticarias were used to retrieve related studies. The meta-analytical outcomes were analyzed in R 4.2.1 software and Stata 15.1 software. Cochrane risk-of-bias tool Ver. 2 was used to evaluate the risk of bias in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RESULTS: In total, 2331 patients were included. Five indexes were employed to assess, including weekly Itch Severity Score (ISS7), weekly Hive Severity Score (HSS7), weekly Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and adverse events (AE). A 300 mg dose of omalizumab was the optimum dose to treat CIU, followed by the 150 mg dose. Furthermore, 600 mg of omalizumab only showed a significant difference from the placebo in HSS7. No significant statistical difference was observed in AE. Meta-regression analysis revealed that time, as a covariate, was statistically significant in the comparison of omalizumab 150 mg with placebo. CONCLUSION: 300 mg of omalizumab was the optimum dosage to treat CIU patients, with a 150 mg dose also exhibiting good efficacy. Further studies are required to explore the efficacy and safety of different doses of omalizumab in the treatment of CIU patients.

Inflammatory cytokine levels and changes during omalizumab treatment in chronic spontaneous urticaria.

While several studies have examined the role of T cells and related cytokines in the development of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), there is a limited amount of research focusing on the changes in cytokine levels during omalizumab treatment. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the inflammatory cytokine profile (including IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IL-31, IL-33, and TNFα) among CSU patients undergoing to omalizumab treatment. Plasma levels of cytokines were measured using ELISA. Measurements were taken before CSU treatment, at the 3rd and 6th months of omalizumab treatment, and once in the control group. The severity of the patients' disease was assessed using the weekly Urticaria Activity Score(UAS7), and disease control was evaluated using the Urticaria Control Test(UCT). Thirty-one CSU patients and 56 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included. Plasma levels of IL-4 and IL-33 were significantly lower in patients with CSU compared to healthy controls (p = 0.001; p = 0.038, respectively). During omalizumab treatment, IL-4 levels showed a significant increase in the 3rd month compared to baseline (p = 0.01), and IL-5 levels significantly decreased in the 6th month compared to both the 3rd month and baseline (6th month vs. baseline; p = 0.006, 6th month vs. 3rd month; p = 0.001). One potential mechanism of action for omalizumab may involve its regulatory effects on type 2 inflammatory cytokines in CSU patients. This finding partially explains the efficacy of anti-IL-4/13 treatments in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Further investigations on drugs targeting type 2 inflammatory cytokines in CSU are warranted.

Stressful life events, psychiatric comorbidities and serum neuromediator levels in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria treated with omalizumab.

INTRODUCTION: Many chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients have highly stressful life events and exhibit psychiatric comorbidities. Emotional stress can cause or exacerbate urticaria symptoms by causing mast cell degranulation via neuromediators. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the frequency of stressful life events and compare psychiatric comorbidities and serum neuromediator levels in patients with CSU who responded to omalizumab with healthy controls. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included 42 patients with CSU who received at least 6 months of omalizumab treatment and a control group of 42 healthy controls. Stressful life events were evaluated with the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5). The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42 (DASS-42) was used to evaluate depression, anxiety and stress levels. Serum nerve growth factor (NGF), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. RESULTS: Twenty-six (62%) patients reported at least one stressful life event a median of 3.5 months before the onset of CSU. There were no significant differences in all three variables in the DASS subscales between the patient and control groups. Serum NGF levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with CSU (p <0.001), whereas CGRP levels were found to be significantly higher (p <0.001). There was no significant difference for SP. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological status of patients with CSU who benefited from omalizumab was similar to that of healthy controls. Omalizumab may affect stress-related neuromediator levels.

Clinical Characteristics, Investigations and Treatment in Children with Chronic Urticaria: An Observational Study.

Background and Objectives: The guidelines for chronic urticaria in children contain recommendations that are often based on adult studies. The diagnostic pathway has not been standardized and the effectiveness of anti-H1, omalizumab, montelukast, and systemic glucocorticoids is rarely reported in the pediatric population. There is a wide variation in the rate of remission of chronic urticaria between studies. The aim of this study is to enhance our understanding of pediatric chronic urticaria. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 37 children with chronic urticaria aged from 0 to 18 years. Demographic parameters, medical history, clinical features, laboratory data and treatment information were collected. Children were treated with the recommended dosage of second-generation H1-antihistamines, which was increased by up to twofold. Omalizumab was added for refractory anti-H1 patients. A three-day course with systemic glucocorticoids was administered for severe exacerbations. Montelukast was administered to some children. Results: Wheals without angioedema were common. Chronic urticaria was spontaneous in 32 children (86.48%), inducible in 2 (5.41%), induced by a parasite in 1 and vasculitic in 2. Treatment of the potential causes of chronic urticaria was of no benefit, except for eradication of Dientamoeba fragilis. Chronic urticaria was resolved within three years in 45.9% of cases. Allergic diseases were present in nine children (24.32%) and autoimmune diseases were present in three (8.11%). All children were treated with anti-H1 at the licensed dose or at a higher dose. A partial or complete response to anti-H1 was observed in 29 (78.38%) patients. Montelukast showed no benefit. All children treated with omalizumab responded. Systemic glucocorticoids were successfully used to treat exacerbations. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that laboratory tests should not be routinely performed in children with chronic urticaria without clinical suspicion. However, comorbidities such as thyroid autoimmune disease and coeliac disease are suggested to be monitored over the chronic urticaria course. These clinical conditions could be diagnosed from the diagnostic framework of chronic urticaria. Increasing the dosage of anti-H1 and omalizumab was effective in children resistant to standard treatment but we still need further studies to generate a standard patient-centered treatment.

Biomarkers to predict therapeutic response in chronic spontaneous urticaria: a review.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a relatively common dermatological disorder characterized by sudden and unpredictable onset of pruritic wheals and/or angioedema, for more than six weeks. It is a mast cell-mediated histaminergic disorder, considerably worsening patients' quality of life. Current treatment options include anti-histamines, omalizumab and cyclosporine, in a step-wise algorithmic approach, aimed at complete symptom control. Patients do not respond uniformly to these therapeutic options due to phenotypic and endotypic heterogeneity, and often remain uncontrolled/poorly controlled. Recent research is focused on identifying certain biomarkers to predict therapeutic response and facilitate patient-targeted personalized treatment, for maximum benefit. The current article summarizes various biomarkers explored to date, and also elaborates their role in predicting therapeutic response to anti-histamines, omalizumab and cyclosporine, in CSU patients. High disease activity, elevated CRP/ESR and elevated D-dimer are the most important predictors of non/poor-response to antihistamines. Low and very low baseline IgE, elevated CRP/ESR, ASST+, BAT/BHRA+, basopenia, eosinopenia, and elevated D-dimer are predictors of poor and good response to omalizumab and cyclosporine, respectively. Additionally, normal or slightly elevated baseline IgE and FceR1 overexpression are predictors of a faster response with omalizumab. However, none of these predictors have so far been completely validated and are not yet recommended for routine use. Thus, large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm these predictive biomarkers and identify new ones to achieve the goal of personalized medicine for CSU.

Clinical Impacts of Omalizumab on the Psychiatric Comorbidities of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Individuals with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) experience significant sleep disturbances and are at risk of anxiety and depression.

UCOMB-real life data: treatment strategies for chronic urticaria patients with comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of real-life safety data on treatment options for chronic urticaria in the presence of comedication and comorbidities. METHODS: We present a single-center UCARE pilot study of 212 outpatients with chronic urticaria. Patients were divided into three groups according to different CU therapies according to international guidelines. RESULTS: Of 212 patients, 108 (mean age 48.9 years, 71.3% female) had 59 comorbidities, including cardiovascular, autoimmune and malignant diseases. Patients were followed for a mean of 24.6 months (SD ± 21.3). Urticaria therapies were divided into three groups: A: 105 (97.2%) with omalizumab and 2nd generation antihistamines), B: 16 patients (14.8%): dual therapy with antihistamines and cyclosporine in 10 (9.3%), montelukast in five (4. 6%), dapsone in four (3.7%), hydroxychloroquine in one patient (0.9%), C: 12 (11.1%) patients received a third drug for 4.9 months (SD ± 3.2) and one quadruple therapy (2.1 months). 10 out of 12 (83.3%) patients received montelukast, two (16.7%) cyclosporine, two (16.7%) dapsone and one (8.3%) hydroxychloroquine as a third drug for chronic urticaria. CONCLUSIONS: Combining treatment modalities for chronic urticaria and comorbidities are available and feasible with a good safety profile.

Role of biologics in severe food allergy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review examine the dynamic landscape of food allergy treatment within the context of emerging biologics. Our purpose is to comprehensively evaluate the potential benefits, challenges, and transformative impact associated with the utilization of biologics in comparison to conventional therapeutic modalities. RECENT FINDINGS: This document synthesizes recent scientific investigations to various biologics, such as omalizumab, ligelizumab, dupilumab, and tezepelumab, providing a nuanced understanding of their roles in oral immunotherapy, rapid desensitization, and overall food allergy management. Recent studies and clinical trials highlight the impact of anti-IgE treatment on food allergies, revealing critical findings such as dose-related efficacy, facilitation of rapid desensitization in peanut allergies, and the sustained positive outcomes observed in individuals with multifood allergies. SUMMARY: The use of biologics presents a groundbreaking approach in the treatment of food allergies. The multifaceted action of these agents, along with their potential to overcome the challenges associated with traditional therapies, marks a significant advancement. Despite the persisting challenges of economic constraints and the need for further safety studies, biologics offer a promising avenue for improving the quality of life for individuals with food allergies. Ongoing research and collaborative efforts are imperative to fully realize the transformative potential inherent in these emerging therapeutic frontiers.

New biologics for food allergy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to explore role of emerging biologics, including ligelizumab, UB-221, dupilumab, and antialarmins, in food allergy management. With a focus on recent developments, we evaluate their promise in mitigating adverse events during oral immunotherapy (OIT), reducing allergic reactions, and addressing the limitations of current therapeutic options. RECENT FINDINGS: Antiimmunoglobulin E mAbs, exemplified by omalizumab, demonstrate efficacy in desensitization and safety improvement during multiallergen OIT. Next-generation antibodies like ligelizumab and UB-221 exhibit enhanced potency and unique mechanisms, holding promise for food allergy treatment. Dupilumab, targeting IL-4 receptor alpha, presents potential benefits in decreasing allergen-specific IgE and modifying the atopic march. Exploration of antialarmins, specifically anti-IL-33 (etokimab) and anti-TSLP (tezepelumab), reveals encouraging results, with etokimab showing early success in peanut allergy trials. SUMMARY: Biologics hold promising potential for food allergy treatment. Tailoring therapeutic approaches based on shared decision-making becomes pivotal. While omalizumab remains a significant option, next-generation anti-IgE antibodies and agents targeting alarmins exhibit unique strengths. Dupilumab, despite limited success as monotherapy, shows promise as an adjunct for OIT. Careful consideration of treatment goals, patient preferences, and the evolving landscape of biologics will shape future clinical practice, offering allergists an expanded toolbox for personalized food allergy management.

Fucosterol isolated from Sargassum horneri attenuates allergic responses in immunoglobulin E/bovine serum albumin-stimulated mast cells and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice.

Allergic diseases have become a serious problem worldwide and occur when the immune system overreacts to stimuli. Sargassum horneri is an edible marine brown alga with pharmacological relevance in treating various allergy-related conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of fucosterol (FST) isolated from S. horneri on immunoglobulin E(IgE)/bovine serum albumin (BSA)-stimulated allergic reactions in mouse bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMCs) and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in BALB/c mice. The in silico analysis results revealed the binding site modulatory potential of FST on the IgE and IgE-FcεRI complex. The findings of the study revealed that FST significantly suppressed the degranulation of IgE/BSA-stimulated BMCMCs by inhibiting the release of ß-hexosaminidase and histamine in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, FST effectively decreased the expression of FcεRI on the surface of BMCMCs and its IgE binding. FST dose-dependently downregulated the expression of allergy-related cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, -5, -6, -13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and a chemokine (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)) by suppressing the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Syk-LAT-ERK-Gab2 signaling in IgE/BSA-stimulated BMCMCs. As per the histological analysis results of the in vivo studies with IgE-mediated PCA in BALB/c mice, FST treatment effectively attenuated the PCA reactions. These findings suggest that FST has an immunopharmacological potential as a naturally available bioactive compound for treating allergic reactions.