Omalizumab: when the non-responder is a lateresponder

SUMMARY

Omalizumab is an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody available since 2006 for the treatment of GINA step 4 asthma. We studied a 41-year old male who has been suffering from severe steroid-resistant asthma with severe co-morbidity and treated with Omalizumab. He was found to be non-responder to the treatment until the 48th week, starting from which we began to see a distinct improvement in the symptoms and all the correlated parameters, in addition to remission of the co-existent allergy to milk. Conclusions: we wish to point out the late response to Omalizumab, which occurred way beyond the times envisaged in literature. It seems possible that some patients are late responders to the drug.