Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of omalizumab on serum cytokine profile in the patients with allergic asthma. Methods A total of 20 patients with allergic asthma who received omalizumab treatment in the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine of Ruijin Hospital were enrolled in this study. Data of spirometry test was collected before and after 4 months of omalizumab treatment to evaluate the improvement of lung function. Serum samples before and after 4 months of omalizumab treatment were collected to measure 29 cytokines using Meso Scale Discovery(MSD). Asthma control was assessed by asthma control test (ACT) score and treatment effectiveness was evaluated by the Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness (GETE) score. Results After 4 months of omalizumab treatment, maximal expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity (MEF50) was significantly improved among 20 patients (P<0.05). Serum interleukin(IL)-17A and IL-23 levels were significantly increased(P<0.05). Asthma control was significantly improved(P<0.01). According to GETE score, omalizumab treatment was effective in 17 patients, but not effective in 3 patients. Conclusions Omalizumab treatment effectively improves asthma control in allergic asthmatics. Increased levels of helper T17 (Th17) cell -related cytokines and recovery of Th17 cell function may be one of the potential therapeutic mechanisms of omalizumab.

Key words: Omalizumab, Allergic asthma, Cytokines