Treatment response to omalizumab in patients with refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: Previous clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the anti-IgE monoclonal antibody omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) not responding to antihistamine treatment. The primary aim of our study was to describe the response patterns of patients with refractory CSU treated with omalizumab in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records of 20 patients with refractory CSU was performed.

Polymorphisms of uridine glucuronosyltransferase gene and irinotecan toxicity: low dose does not protect from toxicity.

Uridine glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) gene polymorphisms have been linked to irinotecan toxicity. Our purpose was to study the association between UGT1A1*28, UGT1A7*2, and UGT1A7*3 polymorphisms and irinotecan toxicity in Greek patients receiving low-dose weekly irinotecan. Blood samples were collected for 46 patients.