P-PiXel: A 'real-life' evaluation of omalizumab use in asthmatic patients

Omalizumab (OMA) (Xolair ® ) is an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody indicated for the maintenance treatment of persistent severe allergic asthma (PSAA). OMA treatment requires (once/twice) monthly injections causing concerns for persistence and adherence to treatment; hereto, the long-term use of OMA was studied in a real-life setting. A prospective observational study was conducted over 120 weeks in 50 PSAA patients treated with OMA. As from week 16 (evaluation time point for clinical response to OMA), the persistence to treatment, the appointment adherence and the OMA effectiveness were evaluated. OMA effectiveness was defined as a change ≥0.5 point from week 0 in asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) total score (or sub-score); and/or an absence of severe exacerbation; and/or a reduction in oral corticosteroid use. At least 92% of the patients (46/50) were responders to OMA at week 16. From these 46 responders, 39 (85%), 33 (72%), 31 (67%) and 30 (65%) were persistent to treatment at week 52, 68, 104 and 120, respectively (all p from visit-to-visit p >0.05 from week 16 to week 52, then all p from visit-to-visit p from visit-to-visit >0.05). In this limited cohort of PSAA patients, initial persistence and adherence to OMA treatment were high in real-life. Subsequently, physicians and patients must optimize long-term persistence and adherence, as OMA proved effectiveness over 120 weeks in most patients.