Novel anti-IgE drug enables durable urticaria control

In a previous phase 2b study (NCT02477332), the anti-IgE drug ligelizumab achieved greater control of symptoms compared with omalizumab and placebo in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) inadequately controlled with standard of care including H1-antihistamines for up to week 20 (last treatment at week 16). The results of an open-label 1-year extension study were presented, and more than 50% of CSU patients treated with ligelizumab had complete symptom control [1].

As much as 70.6% (226/320) of patients entered the extension study, with 88.9% (201/226) completing 1 year of treatment. Efficacy of therapy was assessed on the 7-day urticaria activity score (UAS7). During the first 12 weeks of the extension study, 52.2% of patients treated with ligelizumab attained a complete symptom control (UAS=0). “Complete responses were sustained and over half of the patients achieved UAS=0 at the end of week 52,” said Dr Diane Baker (Baker Allergy, Asthma, and Dermatology Clinic, USA). Throughout the 1-year treatment period, 75.8% of patients cumulatively experienced complete symptom control at least once by the end of the extension study.

1. Baker D. Abstract 11224, AAD Annual Meeting, 1-5 March 2019, Washington DC, USA.



Posted on 19 April 201927 March 2024