Omalizumab's effectiveness in severe allergic asthma and nasal polyps: a real-life study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Omalizumab is a human anti-IgE antibody approved for the treatment of severe allergic asthma (SAA), but its effectiveness when a chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSNP+) is associated is less documented. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate in real-life the effectiveness of omalizumab in patients with SAA and CRSNP+ with or without aspirin intolerance.

METHODS: A retrospective, observational, multicentric real-life study was realized including patients with SAA and CRSNP+ treated by omalizumab for 6 months. Asthma outcome parameters (symptoms, number of salbutamol rescue/week, number of moderate/severe exacerbations, Asthma Control Test score, and lung function), sino-nasal outcome parameters (symptoms, number of acute rhinosinusitis, sinus computed tomographic images, nasal endoscopy polyps score), and serum eosinophils levels have been analysed before and after 6 months of treatment by omalizumab.

RESULTS: Twenty-four adult patients were included (nine with a documented aspirin intolerance). All respiratory parameters were significantly improved by the treatment. In parallel, the sino-nasal clinical outcomes and the sinus computed tomographic images were significantly improved without an important effect on the nasal endoscopy polyps score. The serum levels of eosinophils were significantly decreased after 6 months of treatment by omalizumab.

CONCLUSIONS: The treatment by omalizumab in SAA improves the associated CRSNP+ outcomes supporting the concept of the one airway disease.