Background: Omalizumab is registrated in Europe to the treatment of allergic, severe persistent asthma. The aim of the study was the assessment of clinical efficacy of omalizumab and its influence on airway inflammation in asthmatic patients.

Material and methods: The study was performed in the group of 19 patients with asthma. All of them were treated according to GINA 2006; in 9 patients omalizumab (Xolair – Novartis) was added to the standard therapy. Symptoms score, rescue medication consumption, spirometric indices, levels of exhaled nitric oxide, periopheral blood eosinophilia, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and Asthma Control Test (ACT) score were evaluated in the beginning of the study and after 16-week asthma treatment.

Results: In the group of patients treated with omalizumab, statistically significant decrease in day and night asthma symptoms and rescue medication consumption was observed. Moreover, we showed improvement in spirometric indices and ACT score. After 16-week omalizumab therapy, statistically significant decrease in FENO, serum ECP and peripheral blood eosinophilia was also demonstated. 

Conclusions: Our study confirmed clinical efficacy, safety and anti-inflammatory action of omalizumab therapy  in the treatment of patients with severe persistent, allergic asthma.