Obesity influences the outcomes of anti‐IgE (omalizumab) therapy of asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by airflow obstruction, bronchial hyper-reactivity and inflammation of the airways. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Blocking IgE binding to its high affinity FceR1 with anti-IgE (omalizumab, Xolair®) can provide moderate-to-severe asthma patients with certain levels of clinical benefit by reducing asthma exacerbations, symptoms, and oral corticosteroid doses, as well as improving quality of life.