Omalizumab and allergen immunotherapy: A clinical report and review of the literature

Introduction. Several authors have proposed combined omalizumab and allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in patients suffering from severe allergic asthma to both increase disease control and decrease the severity through targeting the main allergen responsible for the respiratory symptoms. Observation. In a female pediatric patient suffering from severe asthma, followed-up at the University Hospital of Montpellier (France), we prescribed an AIT to Alternaria after obtaining symptom control with omalizumab. The patient showed an overall improvement in symptoms after AIT was administered and the disease remained controlled long after cessation of omalizumab. Conclusions. There are only a few publications evaluating the efficacy of the association of these two biotherapies in the management of severe allergic asthma. In addition there is, as yet, no common protocol for the administration of the two prescriptions. This approach to treatment would benefit from standardization in order to optimize the management of severe allergic asthma. (C) 2018 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.