AI Article Synopsis
- Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), now commonly referred to as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), is an autoimmune skin condition leading to recurring hives for over 6 weeks and significantly affecting quality of life.
- Conventional antihistamine treatments are only effective for about 50% of CSU patients, prompting a search for alternative therapies.
- Omalizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting IgE, shows promise as an effective treatment for CSU, but further research is needed to develop dosing protocols and monitor long-term side effects.
Article Abstract
Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a common autoimmune skin condition characterized by spontaneously recurring hives for 6 weeks or longer. The new terminology used for CIU in most countries including Canada is chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). CSU is associated with significant psychosocial morbidity with a markedly negative impact on overall quality of life. Conventional approaches with antihistamines, even at high doses, is effective in about 50% of patients suffering from CSU. A new treatment option, omalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the Fc domain of IgE, has undergone the scrutiny of randomized research studies evaluating the efficacy in CSU. This editorial reviews mechanisms of action of omalizumab, efficacy, cost and potential side effect profile. Omalizumab has emerged as a very promising treatment option for patients with CSU. Future research is necessary to establish standardized protocols related to dosing as well as monitoring possible adverse effects of long-term treatment.
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