The Incredible Adventure of Omalizumab.

The basis of our current understanding of allergies begins with the discovery of IgE in the mid-1960s. The whole theory of the physiology and pathophysiology of allergic diseases, including rhinitis and asthma, dates from that period. Among the key regions of IgE identified were the FAB (fragment antigen binding) portion that has the ability to capture allergens, and the Cε3 domain, through which IgE binds to its membrane receptor.

Potential impact of mepolizumab in stepping down anti-osteporotic treatment in corticosteroid-dependent asthma.

Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are commonly used for the acute management of severe asthma exacerbations or as maintenance therapy; however, chronic use is associated with significant toxicities, e.g., osteoporosis.

Dual Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for a Severe Asthma Patient.

Introduction: Omalizumab, the first biological treatment for severe allergic bronchial asthma, has been on the market for more than a decade. Omalizumab was initially considered to be an IgE-blocking agent, and therefore, an inhibitor of the Th2 (allergic or adaptive) cascade. More recently, other monoclonal antibodies for severe eosinophilic asthma have become available, which exert an anti-eosinophilic effect basically by blocking IL5 or its receptor.

Correction to: As-needed ICS-LABA in Mild Asthma: What Does the Evidence Say?

Abstract, fourth to last sentence, which currently reads.

As-needed ICS-LABA in Mild Asthma: What Does the Evidence Say?

For the last three decades, the guidelines for asthma management have supported a stepwise therapeutic approach, based on the administration of controller medications (especially inhaled corticosteroids) complemented by on-demand use of rescue medication. Classically, the rescue medication recommended comprised short-acting β agonists (SABA). Some years ago, the use of Symbicort Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART) demonstrated the benefits of a combination of budesonide-formoterol, an inhaled corticosteroid, and a long-acting β agonist (ICS-LABA) as rescue medication in moderate and severe asthma.

A step-down protocol for omalizumab treatment in oral corticosteroid-dependent allergic asthma patients.

Aims: There are no specific criteria for a step-down or withdrawal dose of omalizumab (OMA). Our purpose was to evaluate the viability of a protocol for OMAlizumab DOse REduction (the OMADORE study) in severe allergic asthma (SAA).

Methods: The study population included 35 SAA patients treated during a minimum period of 1 year with oral corticosteroids (OC) equivalent to a mean daily dose of 4 mg of methyl-prednisolone.

Omalizumab Is Equally Effective in Persistent Allergic Oral Corticosteroid-Dependent Asthma Caused by Either Seasonal or Perennial Allergens: A Pilot Study.

Omalizumab is marketed for chronic severe asthma patients who are allergic to perennial allergens. Our purpose was to investigate whether omalizumab is also effective in persistent severe asthma due to seasonal allergens. Thirty patients with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma were treated with Omalizumab according to the dosing table.

Influence of dynamic leaks in volume-targeted pressure support noninvasive ventilation: a bench study.

Introduction: The effect of leaks on volume-targeted pressure support noninvasive ventilation mode has only been tested with continuous simulated leaks. The objective of the study was to assess the influence of random leaks occurring either during inspiration or expiration.

Methods: Analysis of the volume-targeted pressure support mode in 6 commercial ventilators with single-limb circuits and intentional leak in a bench study (restrictive model).

Effect of dynamic random leaks on the monitoring accuracy of home mechanical ventilators: a bench study.

Background: So far, the accuracy of tidal volume (VT) and leak measures provided by the built-in software of commercial home ventilators has only been tested using bench linear models with fixed calibrated and continuous leaks. The objective was to assess the reliability of the estimation of tidal volume (VT) and unintentional leaks in a single tubing bench model which introduces random dynamic leaks during inspiratory or expiratory phases.

Methods: The built-in software of four commercial home ventilators and a fifth ventilator-independent ad hoc designed external software tool were tested with two levels of leaks and two different models with excess leaks (inspiration or expiration).

Effect of leak and breathing pattern on the accuracy of tidal volume estimation by commercial home ventilators: a bench study.

Background: New home ventilators are able to provide clinicians data of interest through built-in software. Monitoring of tidal volume (VT) is a key point in the assessment of the efficacy of home mechanical ventilation.

Objective: To assess the reliability of the VT provided by 5 ventilators in a bench test.

Home mechanical ventilation monitoring software: measure more or measure better?

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in knowing the consequences of the patient-ventilator interaction in non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Therefore, several ventilator manufacturers have incorporated into their devices the possibility to monitor ventilation on-line and download the data stored in their internal memories. However, there is not a consensus as to how these data should be presented, and said devices have still not been sufficiently validated to be used systematically in clinical practice.