Childhood Asthma as an Allergic Disease: Basis of Anti-Immunoglobulin E Therapy

Abstract

Asthma is a dynamic disorder of bronchial inflammation, tissue injury and repair, with resulting bronchoconstriction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway obstruction. Genetic predisposition, a decline in infections in early childhood, and exposure and sensitization to environmental allergens all appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) in infancy is associated with onset of the disease later in childhood. Current management strategies for persistent childhood asthma recommend the use of antiinflammatory medications, particularly inhaled corticosteroids. A promising new treatment is based on the neutralization of free IgE by humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody (omalizumab).