Omalizumab in the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis and food allergy

Eur J Pediatr. 2011 Nov;170(11):1471-4. doi: 10.1007/s00431-011-1540-4. Epub 2011 Aug 2.

Abstract

Omalizumab is currently used in severe asthma and has been tried in other allergic disorders. The authors report two patients with multiple food allergies and eosinophilic esophagitis on a very restrictive diet who have been treated with omalizumab, in order to improve food intolerance--the major distressing factor in their lives. The patients significantly improved in the reported symptoms. However, no improvement was seen regarding esophageal endoscopy and histology. Given the poor histological and endoscopy response, eosinophilic esophagitis persistence is unlikely to be IgE dependent. Omalizumab may improve the quality of life of patients with severe food allergy by improving symptoms, but it does not appear to change endoscopic and histological features of eosinophilic esophagitis in a short follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Asthma / complications
  • Child
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / complications
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis / diet therapy
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis / drug therapy*
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis / etiology
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis / pathology
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Female
  • Food Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Food Hypersensitivity / diet therapy
  • Food Hypersensitivity / drug therapy*
  • Hirschsprung Disease / complications
  • Humans
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Male
  • Omalizumab
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Omalizumab