ABSTRACT
Despite the advanced and increasing understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma and other allergic diseases, current treatment remains nonspecific and targets late events within the allergic cascade [e.g., antihistamines, b2 agonists, topical and systemic corticosteroids (SCS), and chromones] (1). Although the majority of asthmatic patients are sufficiently treated with standard medication, a subpopulation of asthmatics remains who still suffer from the disease despite optimal drug treatment according to guidelines or encounter severe side effects from medication with high-dose inhaled and/or oral steroids. New treatment options are therefore required that target the pathophysiological cascade of allergen-mediated airway disease earlier and in a more specific way (2,3). Because of the pivotal role of IgE for the development and severity of allergic diseases, antagonizing or inhibiting IgE by anti-IgE antibodies provides a novel and promising approach to treat allergic asthma (4,5).
