Dupilumab reduced impact of severe exacerbations on lung function in patients with moderate-to-severe type 2 asthma.

BACKGROUND: Severe asthma exacerbations increase the risk of accelerated lung function decline. This analysis examined the effect of dupilumab on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ) in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma and elevated type 2 biomarkers from phase 3 LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST (NCT02414854). METHODS: Changes from baseline in pre- and post-bronchodilator (BD) FEV1 and 5-item Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-5) scores were assessed in patients with elevated type 2 biomarkers at baseline (type 2-150/25: eosinophils ≥150 cells/µl and/or fractional exhaled nitric oxide [FeNO] ≥25 ppb; type 2-300/25: eosinophils ≥300 cells/µl and/or FeNO ≥25 ppb), stratified as exacerbators (≥1 severe exacerbation during the study) or non-exacerbators. RESULTS: In exacerbators and non-exacerbators, dupilumab increased pre-BD FEV1 by Week 2 vs placebo; differences were maintained to Week 52 (type 2-150/25: LS mean difference (LSMD) vs placebo: 0.17 L (95% CI: 0.10-0.24) and 0.17 L (0.12-0.23); type 2-300/25: 0.22 L (0.13-0.30) and 0.21 L (0.15-0.28)), in exacerbators and non-exacerbators, respectively (p < .0001). Similar trends were seen for post-BD FEV1 . Dupilumab vs placebo also showed significantly greater improvements in post-BD FEV1 0-42 days after first severe exacerbation in type 2-150/25 (LSMD vs placebo: 0.13 L [0.06-0.20]; p = .006) and type 2-300/25 (0.14 L [0.06-0.22]; p = .001) patients. ACQ-5 improvements were greater with dupilumab vs placebo in both groups. CONCLUSION: Dupilumab treatment led to improvements in lung function independent of exacerbations and appeared to reduce the impact of exacerbations on lung function in patients who experienced a severe exacerbation during the study.

Efficacy of dupilumab in patients with uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe asthma recruited from Japanese centers in the phase 3 LIBERTY ASTHMA TRAVERSE study.

BACKGROUND: Safety and efficacy data for dupilumab beyond 1 year are lacking for patients from Japan with moderate-to-severe asthma. METHODS: The TRAVERSE open-label extension (OLE) study (NCT02134028) assessed the safety and efficacy of dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks up to 96 weeks in 2282 patients who completed a previous dupilumab asthma study. The primary endpoint was incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Secondary endpoints included annualized severe exacerbation rate and change from parent study baseline in pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), asthma control, quality of life, and blood eosinophil levels. Anti-drug antibodies (ADA) were evaluated. We report results in 160 (7.8% of exposed population) patients recruited from Japanese centers with non-oral corticosteroid (OCS)-dependent asthma rolled over from two parent studies, and in subgroups with a type 2 inflammatory phenotype. RESULTS: TEAEs were consistent with the parent studies and the known safety profile of dupilumab. One patient permanently discontinued treatment due to TEAEs. Exacerbation rates remained low and were sustained to Week 96, as were improvements in pre-bronchodilator FEV1. Rapid, sustained improvements were observed in dupilumab-treated patients who previously received placebo in a parent study, while further improvements in exacerbation rates, asthma control, and asthma-related quality of life were observed in those continuing dupilumab. Blood eosinophil levels decreased progressively while on treatment. Treatment-emergent ADA responses were highest in patients who had previously received placebo. Efficacy results were consistent in patients with a type 2 phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term dupilumab treatment was well tolerated and efficacious in patients with non-OCS-dependent, moderate-to-severe asthma recruited from Japan. (Funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02134028).

Dupilumab efficacy in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps from SINUS-52 is unaffected by eosinophilic status.

BACKGROUND: The human monoclonal antibody dupilumab blocks interleukin (IL)-4 andIL-13, key and central drivers of type 2 inflammation. Dupilumab, on background mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS), improved outcomes in the phase III SINUS-52 study (NCT02898454) in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This posthoc analysis of SINUS-52 examined whether eosinophilic status of CRSwNP was a predictor of dupilumab efficacy. METHODS: Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks (q2w) until week 52; dupilumab 300 mg q2w until Week 24, then 300 mg every 4 weeks until week 52; or placebo (MFNS) until week 52. Coprimary endpoints were change from baseline in nasal polyps score (NPS), nasal congestion (NC), and Lund-Mackay score assessed by CT (LMK-CT) at week 24. Patients (n = 438) were stratified by eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) status according to the Japanese Epidemiological Survey of Refractory Eosinophilic Rhinosinusitis algorithm. RESULTS: Dupilumab significantly improved NPS, NC, and LMK-CT scores versus placebo at week 24 in all ECRS subgroups (p < 0.001), with improvements maintained or increased at week 52 (p < 0.001). There was no significant interaction between ECRS subgroup (non-/mild or moderate/severe) and dupilumab treatment effect for all endpoints at weeks 24 and 52 (p > 0.05), except LMK-CT at week 24 (p = 0.0275). Similar results were seen for the secondary endpoints. Dupilumab was well tolerated across all ECRS subgroups. CONCLUSION: Dupilumab produced consistent improvement in symptoms of severe CRSwNP irrespective of ECRS status. Therefore, blood eosinophil level may not be a suitable biomarker for dupilumab efficacy in CRSwNP.

Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in patients with uncontrolled severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and a clinical diagnosis of NSAID-ERD: Results from two randomized placebo-controlled phase 3 trials.

BACKGROUND: About one-tenth of patients with difficult-to-treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) have comorbid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease (NSAID-ERD). Dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks the shared interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 receptor component, is an approved add-on treatment in severe CRSwNP. This post hoc analysis evaluated dupilumab efficacy and safety in patients with CRSwNP with/without NSAID-ERD. METHODS: Data were pooled from the phase 3 SINUS-24 and SINUS-52 studies in adults with uncontrolled severe CRSwNP who received dupilumab 300 mg or placebo every 2 weeks. CRSwNP, nasal airflow, lung function, and asthma control outcomes at Week 24 were evaluated, and treatment-subgroup interactions were assessed for patients with and without NSAID-ERD. RESULTS: Of 724 patients, 204 (28.2%) had a diagnosis of NSAID-ERD. At Week 24, least squares mean treatment differences demonstrated significant improvements in nasal polyp score, nasal congestion (NC), Lund-Mackay computed tomography, 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), Total Symptom Score (TSS), rhinosinusitis severity visual analog scale, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), six-item Asthma Control Questionnaire score, and improvement in smell with dupilumab versus placebo (all p < .0001) in patients with NSAID-ERD. Treatment comparisons demonstrated significantly greater improvements with dupilumab in patients with versus without NSAID-ERD for NC (p = .0044), SNOT-22 (p = .0313), TSS (p = .0425), and PNIF (p = .0123). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with uncontrolled severe CRSwNP, dupilumab significantly improved objective measures and patient-reported symptoms to a greater extent in the presence of comorbid NSAID-ERD than without. Dupilumab was well tolerated in patients with/without NSAID-ERD.

Effect of omalizumab on lung function and eosinophil levels in adolescents with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Omalizumab improves clinical outcomes in patients with asthma. Several studies have shown lung function improvements with omalizumab; however, this has not been examined exclusively in adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of omalizumab on lung function and eosinophil counts in adolescents with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. METHODS: In this post hoc analysis, data from adolescents aged 12 to 17 years from 8 randomized trials of omalizumab were pooled (studies 008, 009, and 011, and SOLAR, INNOVATE, ALTO, ETOPA, and EXTRA). Changes from baseline to end of study in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and blood eosinophil counts were assessed by fitting an analysis of covariance model and calculating least squares mean (LSM) difference for omalizumab vs placebo. RESULTS: A total of 340 adolescents were identified (omalizumab, n = 203 [59.7%]; placebo, n = 137 [40.3%]). Omalizumab increased all baseline lung function variables more than placebo by end of study: LSM treatment differences (95% confidence interval) were 3.0% (0.2%-5.7%; P = .035), 120.9 mL (30.6-211.2 mL; P = .009), and 101.5 mL (8.3-194.6 mL; P = .033) for ppFEV1, absolute FEV1, and FVC, respectively. The LSM difference demonstrated a greater reduction in eosinophil counts for omalizumab vs placebo: -85.9 cells/µL (-137.1 to -34.6 cells/µL; P = .001). CONCLUSION: Omalizumab was associated with lung function improvements and circulating eosinophil counts reductions in adolescents with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma. Findings emphasize the effect of omalizumab in young patients and the need to optimize treatment early in the disease course. https://clinicaltrials.gov/: NCT00314574, NCT00046748, NCT00401596.

Documentation of asthma control and severity in pediatrics: analysis of national office-based visits.

Objective: To evaluate the extent of documentation of asthma control and severity and associated characteristics among pediatric asthma patients in office-based settings. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2012-2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS). Patients aged 6-17 years with a diagnosis of asthma were included. Weighted descriptive analysis examined the extent of documentation and uncontrolled asthma; while logistic regression evaluated associated characteristics. Results: Overall, there were 2.47 million (95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 2.04-2.90) average annual visits with asthma as a primary diagnosis. Asthma control and severity was documented in only 36.1% and 33.8% of the visits, respectively. An established patient (odds ratio, OR = 3.81), Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 2.10), chronic sinusitis (OR = 5.59), and visits in the Northeast (OR = 2.12) and Midwest (OR = 2.25) regions had higher odds of documented asthma control status, whereas undocumented asthma severity (OR = 0.02), and visits in spring (OR = 0.34), had lower odds. Osteopathic doctors (OR = 0.18), visits in the Northeast region (OR = 0.23), chronic sinusitis (OR = 0.08), and undocumented asthma control status (OR = 0.03) had lower odds of documented asthma severity, whereas visits in spring (OR = 3.88) and autumn (OR = 3.32) had higher odds. Moderate/severe persistent asthma (OR = 15.35) had higher odds of uncontrolled asthma (as compared to intermittent asthma), while visits in the summer (OR = 0.14) had lower odds. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest a critical need to increase the documentation of asthma severity and control to improve quality of asthma care in children.

Healthcare resource utilization, expenditures, and productivity in patients with asthma with and without allergies.

Objective: To compare healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), healthcare expenditures, and work productivity and activity impairment within a general asthma population with persistent asthma and evidence of allergy (PA-EA) and persistent asthma with no evidence of allergy (PA-NEA).Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of survey responses and claims from the Observational Study of Asthma Control and Outcomes (OSACO) study. Eligible patients with persistent asthma aged ≥12 years were sent four surveys over 15 months. Regression models were used to assess the association between: (1) PA-EA (defined as a positive response to a survey question about hay fever/seasonal allergies AND ≥1 diagnostic code for atopic conditions) and HCRU and expenditures; and (2) PA-EA and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)-Asthma questionnaire scores (vs. PA-NEA).Results: Adjusted data showed that, vs. PA-NEA (n = 312), patients with PA-EA (n = 971) incurred 1.34-times more all-cause prescriptions (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-1.48), $132.79 higher prescription costs (95% CI, $22.03-243.56), and $926.11 higher all-cause total healthcare costs (95% CI, $279.67-1572.54), per 4-month period. Patients with PA-EA were 4.1% less productive while working (95% CI, 3.75-4.48%) and experienced a 6.5% reduction in all activities (95% CI, 6.11-6.88%) vs. those with PA-NEA.Conclusions: Patients with PA-EA had greater HCRU, healthcare expenditures, and lower productivity compared with those patients with PA-NEA. These results highlight the burden of atopy in patients with persistent asthma and underscore the importance of allergic endotype identification for more vigilant disease management.

Impact of allergies on health-related quality of life in patients with asthma.

Objective: To estimate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and health utilities among asthma patients with and without comorbid allergies in a managed care population.Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patient survey responses and pharmacy claims from the Observational Study of Asthma Control and Outcomes (OSACO). Patients ≥12 years-old with persistent asthma received four identical surveys between April-2011 and December-2012. The presence of allergy was identified by a positive response to a survey question about hay fever/seasonal allergies and ≥1 diagnosis-related ICD-9-CM code(s) for allergic conditions. HRQoL instruments included generic utility (EQ-5D-3L [including VAS]), asthma-specific utility (AQL-5D) and asthma-specific health status (Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire [MiniAQLQ]). Median regression was used for utility scores and Least Squares regression for MiniAQLQ, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and smoking.Results: Of the 2681 asthmatics who completed the first survey in the OSACO study, 971 had comorbid allergies. After adjusting for covariates, asthma patients with comorbid allergies had significantly lower MiniAQLQ scores than patients without allergies (-0.489 [95% CI -0.570, -0.409]; p < 0.01), with the greatest decrement/impairment observed for the environmental stimuli domain (-0.729 [95% CI -0.844, -0.613]; p < 0.01). Utility scores were also statistically significantly lower for asthma patients with comorbid allergies compared to those without allergies (EQ-5D, -0.031 [95% CI -0.047, -0.015]; AQL-5D, -0.036 [95% CI -0.042, -0.029]; p < 0.01 each).Conclusions: The presence of allergies with persistent asthma is associated with a significant deleterious impact on several different measures of HRQoL.

Conditions for stable equilibrium in Cournot duopoly models with tax evasion and time delay.

We provide conditions for stable equilibrium in Cournot duopoly models with tax evasion and time delay. We prove that our conditions actually imply asymptotically stable equilibrium and delay independence. Conditions include the same marginal cost and equal probability for evading taxes. We give examples of cost and inverse demand functions satisfying the proposed conditions. Some economic interpretations of our results are also included.

Long-term omalizumab outcomes in chronic idiopathic urticaria: a real-world study.

Background: Although clinical trials documented omalizumab's efficacy in U.S. patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), the real-world evidence on its long-term effectiveness is lacking. Objective: To assess omalizumab use and the long-term response in a large sample of U.S. real-world patients. Methods: Patients with CIU and ≥ 12 years old who were initiated on omalizumab (index date) and with ≥ 6 months of postindex data were identified in an electronic medical record system (2007-2018). Omalizumab use was described. Provider assessments of disease control and course, and patient-reported symptoms were compared at 6-month intervals postindex versus baseline in the patients with values available at both time points. Results: A total of 1096 patients (mean age, 44.1 years; 74.7% women) were followed up for a mean of 19 months postindex. Patients, predominantly initiated on a 300-mg dose, received a mean of 15 omalizumab administrations and were treated continuously for a mean of 14.2 months. At 6 months postindex versus baseline, the patients (n = 708) were more likely to be well controlled (odds ratio [OR] 31.68 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 17.20-58.36]) with an improved disease course (OR 15.73 [95% CI, 11.33-21.85]). Moreover, the patients (n = 373) were less likely to report itching (OR 0.39 [95% CI, 0.21-0.76]), rash (OR 0.59 [95% CI, 0.45-0.78]), and swelling (OR 0.46 [95% CI, 0.36-0.59]). Benefits associated with omalizumab treatment were sustained through month 24 and beyond. Conclusion: This real-world study showed that the patients who received a mean of 15 omalizumab administrations over a mean of 14.2 months experienced, starting at 6 and through 24 months after omalizumab initiation and beyond, improved CIU control, course, and symptoms.

Medication use and indicators of poor asthma control in patients with and without allergies.

Background: Approximately two-thirds of people with asthma have some evidence of allergy; their condition differs from nonallergic asthma in terms of predominant symptoms and clinical outcomes. Objective: To compare asthma control and medication use among patients with persistent asthma with evidence of allergy (PA-EA) and patients with persistent asthma with no evidence of allergy (PA-NEA). Methods: A retrospective analysis of survey responses and medication claims data from the Observational Study of Asthma Control and Outcomes study, a prospective survey linked to retrospective claims-based analysis of patients ages ≥ 12 years with persistent asthma in a U.S. health maintenance organization. Evidence of allergy was defined as both a positive response to a survey question about hay fever and/or seasonal allergies and one or more medical diagnostic codes for atopic conditions. Regression models were used to compare asthma control (Asthma Control Questionnaire [ACQ] scores) and asthma medication use between PA-EA and PA-NEA. Results: Adjusted data showed that, versus the patients with PA-NEA (n = 312), patients with PA-EA (n = 971) had higher (worse) 5-item and 6-item ACQ (ACQ-5 and ACQ-6) scores (by 0.34 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.24-0.44]; and 0.31 [95% CI, 0.21-0.40], respectively), were more likely to have poorly controlled asthma (ACQ-5 score ≥ 1.5: odds ratio 3.37 [95% CI, 2.07-5.50]; ACQ-6 score ≥ 1.5: odds ratio 3.46 [95% CI, 2.13-5.62]) and less likely to have well-controlled asthma (ACQ-5 score ≤ 0.75: odds ratio 0.21 [95% CI, 0.13-0.34]; ACQ-6 score ≤ 0.75: odds ratio 0.21 [95% CI, 0.13-0.35]). Patients with PA-EA also had greater asthma medication use, most notably 2.5 times more prescriptions of high-dose inhaled corticosteroid in a 4-month period (95% CI, 1.21-5.16) and 16.15 times higher odds of chronic oral corticosteroid use (95% CI, 1.50-174.09) versus PA-NEA. Conclusion: The patients with PA-EA versus PA-NEA had worse asthma control and greater medication use. These patients may need more vigilant clinical oversight and treatment management to ensure adequate asthma control.

More than a decade follow-up in patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma: The Epidemiology and Natural History of Asthma: Outcomes and Treatment Regimens (TENOR) II.

BACKGROUND: The Epidemiology and Natural History of Asthma: Outcomes and Treatment Regimens (TENOR I) study demonstrated high morbidity in patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma despite standard-of-care treatment. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the long-term natural history of disease and outcomes in patients in TENOR I after more than a decade. METHODS: TENOR I was a multicenter observational study (2001-2004) of 4756 patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma. TENOR II was a follow-up study of TENOR I patients using a single cross-sectional visit in 2013/2014. Overall, the sites participating in TENOR II originally enrolled 1230 patients in TENOR I. Clinical and patient-reported outcomes were assessed, including very poorly controlled asthma based on National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 341 (27.7%) patients were enrolled in TENOR II and were representative of the TENOR I cohort. The most frequent comorbidities were rhinitis (84.0%), sinusitis (47.8%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (46.3%). Mean percent predicted prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator FEV1 were 72.7% (SD, 21.4%) and 78.2% (SD, 20.7%), respectively. A total of 231 (72.9%) of 317 patients had positive test responses to 1 or more allergen-specific IgEs. The mean blood eosinophil count was 200/µL (SD, 144/µL). Eighty-eight (25.8%) patients experienced an asthma exacerbation in the prior 3 months requiring hospital attention, oral corticosteroids, or both. More than half (197/339 [58.1%]) had very poorly controlled asthma. Medication use suggested undertreatment. CONCLUSION: TENOR II provides longitudinal data to characterize disease progression, heterogeneity, and severity in patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma. Findings show continued morbidity, including a high degree of comorbid conditions, allergic sensitization, exacerbations, and very poorly controlled asthma, including reduced lung function.

School absence and productivity outcomes associated with childhood asthma in the USA.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have examined the association between childhood asthma and lost productivity; however, more data are needed to understand its impact. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data in the nationally representative 2007-2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). School-aged children (SAC), children (age 6-11), and adolescents (age 12-17) with asthma were compared to those without asthma to examine annual missed school days. Adult parents/caregivers of SAC with asthma were compared to those of SAC without asthma to examine missed work days. The cost of premature asthma mortality for SAC was also estimated. Negative binomial regression was used for missed school days, and a two-part model structure was used for missed work days. All analyses controlled for sociodemographics and other covariates. RESULTS: There were 44,320 SAC of whom 5,890 had asthma. There were 43,496 employed adults with at least one child. SAC (6-17) with asthma missed 1.54 times the number of school days compared to SAC without asthma. Caregivers of SAC (6-17) with asthma missed 1.16 times the number of work days to care for others compared to caregivers of SAC without asthma. SAC in the USA missed an additional 7 million school days associated with asthma (3.7 million children and 3.3 million adolescent). There were 130 asthma deaths resulting in an annual cost of $211 million ($US 2015). CONCLUSIONS: Childhood asthma is associated with a significant school absence and productivity loss in the USA. Better treatment and asthma management programs are needed to alleviate this burden.

Health care burden and treatment patterns in commercially insured children with chronic idiopathic/spontaneous urticaria: A real-world study in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU)/spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined by the presence of wheals, angioedema, or both for ≥6 weeks, with or without an identifiable trigger. Real-world health care data among children with CIU/CSU remain scarce. OBJECTIVES: To describe treatment patterns, health care resource utilization (HRU), and costs in pediatric patients with CIU/CSU (<12 years old) and to compare these with pediatric patients without CIU/CSU. METHODS: A commercial administrative claims data base (September 2013 to June 2016) was used. The CIU/CSU cohort included pediatric patients with either two or more claims for a diagnosis of urticaria ≥6 weeks apart or one or more claims for a diagnosis of urticaria and one or more claims for a diagnosis of angioedema ≥6 weeks apart (index was defined as the first claim). The control cohort comprised pediatric patients without urticaria or angioedema (index randomly assigned). Patients with <6 months of eligibility before and after the index date were excluded. HRU and costs were compared between the cohorts during the observation period after propensity score matching. RESULTS: A total of 6109 pediatric patients with CIU/CSU were selected, and 6107 were 1:1 matched with controls. The patients with CIU/CSU who had a mean ± standard deviation age of 4.58 ± 3.36 years, and 47.9% were girls. CIU/CSU-related medication use increased after diagnosis (e.g., baseline versus 6-month follow-up, 2.2 versus 8.0% for nonsedating prescription H1 antihistamines; 7.4 versus 17.4% for oral corticosteroids). Relative to the controls, the patients with CIU/CSU had higher rates of HRU (incidence rate ratios of 1.71, 2.39, and 2.07 for inpatient, emergency department, and outpatient visits, respectively; all p < 0.01), and higher all-cause per patient per year costs (mean cost differences of $2090, $1606, and $483 for total, medical, and pharmacy costs, respectively; all p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study highlighted unmet needs in pediatric patients with CIU/CSU who had increased medication (e.g., oral corticosteroids) and HRU burden after a diagnosis for CIU/CSU, and higher rates of HRU and costs relative to those without CIU/CSU.

Asthma control, lung function, symptoms, and corticosteroid sparing after omalizumab initiation in patients with allergic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Omalizumab is approved in patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma with symptoms uncontrolled, despite the mainstay therapy. OBJECTIVE: Electronic medical records (EMR) were used to increase the knowledge of omalizumab effectiveness in a real-world setting. METHODS: Patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe allergic asthma, ages ≥12 years old, initiated on omalizumab (index date), with ≥12 months of pre- and postindex data, were identified in an EMR data base. An Asthma Control Test score (≥20 is considered well controlled), forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percentage of the predicted value (<80% considered below normal), symptoms, and oral corticosteroid (OCS) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use were compared in the 12-month post- versus the preindex period with univariate generalized estimating equations adjusted for repeated measurements. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients (mean ± standard deviation[SD] age, 41 ± 19 years; 64.9% women; 71.2% white; and with a mean ± SD serum total immunoglobulin E level of 455.4 ± 644.7 IU/mL) were identified. In the post- versus preindex period, the patients were significantly more likely to have well-controlled asthma (odds ratio [OR] 1.72 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.11-2.64]) and less likely to have a lung function value below normal (nonsignificant) after omalizumab initiation. The patients experienced significantly less coughing (OR 0.66 [95% CI, 0.49-0.91]), shortness of breath (OR 0.60 [95% CI, 0.44-0.83]), and wheezing (OR 0.59 [95% CI, 0.43-0.81]), with no improvement in chest tightness. A significantly lower likelihood of new OCS prescriptions (OR 0.58 [95% CI, 0.41-0.82]) was observed. A lower likelihood of new high- and medium-dose ICS prescriptions was nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: Omalizumab was associated with beneficial effects on asthma control and symptoms, and the likelihood of requiring new OCS prescriptions. An observed trend of improved lung function and lower likelihood of requiring high- and medium-dose ICS did not reach statistical significance.

Real-world use of omalizumab in patients with chronic idiopathic/spontaneous urticaria in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Omalizumab was approved for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU)/chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in the United States in March 2014. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe real-world omalizumab use, in the United States, in a large cohort of patients with CIU/CSU. METHODS: Patients with CIU/CSU (ages ≥12 years) initiated on omalizumab (index date) with ≥12 months of pre- and postindex data were identified in the an insurance claims data base (January 1, 2013, to July 31, 2016). Treatment patterns, including the dosing regimen and continuous use of omalizumab (no gaps for ≥60 days), were described during the 12-month postindex follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 1546 patients (mean ± standard deviation [SD] ages, 44 ± 14.5 years; 73.1% women) were identified. Most of the patients (84.5%) were initiated on omalizumab 300-mg dose; 90% maintained the initial dose, 7.5% had a dose increase, and 4.6% had a dose decrease. The mean ± SD omalizumab treatment duration was 9.1 ± 3.8 months, the mean ± SD number of omalizumab administrations was 8.3 ± 4.8, and the mean ± SD administration frequency was 44 ± 29 days. A proportion of the patients continuously treated with omalizumab for 6, 9, and 12 months was 67.3, 54.8, and 47.4%, respectively. Among the patients who discontinued omalizumab for ≥3 months (39.8%), 21% restarted the treatment after a mean ± SD of 4.4 ± 1.3 months. The proportion of patients who used other CIU/CSU-related medications decreased pre- to postindex (94.8 to 81.1%), with the highest decrease observed in oral corticosteroids (75.7 to 49.9%). CONCLUSION: In this large real-world study, the majority of the patients with CIU/CSU were initiated on a 300-mg omalizumab dose and treated without titration up or down for 9 months on average. Most of the patients were continuously treated with omalizumab for ≥6 months, and one-fourth of the patients who discontinued treatment resumed it. Moreover, compared with baseline levels, the use of other CIU/CSU-related medications was lower after omalizumab initiation, with the most prominent decrease observed in oral corticosteroids.

Omalizumab in children with uncontrolled allergic asthma: Review of clinical trial and real-world experience.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Allergen sensitization and high frequencies of comorbid allergic diseases are characteristic of severe asthma in children. Omalizumab, an anti-IgE mAb, is the first targeted biologic therapeutic approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe persistent allergic asthma (AA) that remains uncontrolled despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus other controller medications. Since its initial licensing for use in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older, the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of omalizumab have been demonstrated in several published clinical trials in children aged 6 to less than 12 years with moderate-to-severe AA. These studies supported the approval of the pediatric indication (use in children aged ≥6 years) by the European Medicines Agency in 2009 and the US Food and Drug Administration in 2016. After this most recent change in licensing, we review the outcomes from clinical trials in children with persistent AA receiving omalizumab therapy and observational studies from the past 7 years of clinical experience in Europe. Data sources were identified by using PubMed in 2016. Guidelines and management recommendations and materials from the recent US Food and Drug Administration's Pediatric Advisory Committee meeting are also reviewed.

Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Amine-Reactive Multilayers Using an Azlactone-Functionalized Polymer and Small-Molecule Diamine Linkers.

We report the reactive layer-by-layer assembly of amine-reactive polymer multilayers using an azlactone-functionalized polymer and small-molecule diamine linkers. This approach yields cross-linked polymer/linker-type films that can be further functionalized, after fabrication, by treatment with functional primary amines, and provides opportunities to incorporate other useful functionality that can be difficult to introduce using other polyamine building blocks. Films fabricated using poly(2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone) (PVDMA) and three model nondegradable aliphatic diamine linkers yielded reactive thin films that were stable upon incubation in physiologically relevant media. By contrast, films fabricated using PVDMA and varying amounts of the model disulfide-containing diamine linker cystamine were stable in normal physiological media, but were unstable and eroded rapidly upon exposure to chemical reducing agents. We demonstrate that this approach can be used to fabricate functionalized polymer microcapsules that degrade in reducing environments, and that rates of erosion, extents of capsule swelling, and capsule degradation can be tuned by control over the relative concentration of cystamine linker used during fabrication. The polymer/linker approach used here expands the range of properties and functions that can be designed into reactive PVDMA-based coatings, including functionality that can degrade, erode, and undergo triggered destruction in aqueous environments. We therefore anticipate that these approaches will be useful for the functionalization, patterning, and customization of coatings, membranes, capsules, and interfaces of potential utility in biotechnical or biomedical contexts and other areas where degradation and transience are desired. The proof of concept strategies reported here are likely to be general, and should prove useful for the design of amine-reactive coatings containing other functional structures by judicious control of the structures of the linkers used during assembly.

Clinical features of adolescents with chronic idiopathic or spontaneous urticaria: Review of omalizumab clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Adults and adolescents were included in 3 phase 3 omalizumab trials in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU): ASTERIA I, ASTERIA II, and GLACIAL. OBJECTIVE: To describe the baseline clinical profile of adolescent patients with CIU enrolled in the omalizumab trials to add to the limited literature available on CIU in this population. METHODS: Data for patient demographics, baseline clinical disease characteristics, medical history, and previous CIU medication information (not efficacy assessments) from phase 3 omalizumab trials were pooled and descriptive statistical analyses performed for adolescent (12 to <18 years old) and adult (≥18 years old) subgroups. Inferential analysis was inappropriate, partly because of small sample size in the adolescent subgroup. RESULTS: The pooled population of 975 patients with CIU included 39 adolescents (4.0%). Demographics of adolescents and adults with CIU were similar, but compared with adults, fewer adolescents had positive Chronic Urticaria Index test results. Baseline clinical disease characteristics were also similar between the subgroups, with the number of previous CIU medications slightly lower in adolescents compared with adults. Medical history and existing conditions in adolescents tended to be more allergy than cardiovascular related, and fewer experienced angioedema compared with adults. CONCLUSION: Pooled data indicate differences in baseline demographic and clinical characteristics between adult and adolescent patient subgroups. This finding helps augment our understanding of the clinical profile of CIU in adolescents, but larger-scale studies in this population are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT01287117 (ASTERIA I), NCT01292473 (ASTERIA II), and NCT01264939 (GLACIAL).