Review: omalizumab reduces asthma exacerbations and daily steroid use.

MAIN RESULTS 8 blinded, placebo controlled trials of fair to high quality met the inclusion criteria (n = 2037). Omalizumab was administered by inhaler in 1 trial, intravenously in 3 trials, and subcutaneously in 4 trials. Results were reported for the stable steroid phase and the steroid reduction phase. During these phases, fewer patients who received omalizumab had >1 asthma exacerbation (table). During the steroid reduction phase, more patients who received omalizumab discontinued inhaled steroid use or had >50% reduction in use (table). In both phases, patients who received omalizumab required less rescue medication and had fewer asthma symptoms (p,0.05). The 1 trial of inhaled omalizumab showed no difference from placebo in the outcomes measured.