Reuters
Xolair is a laboratory-generated monoclonal antibody that is given by injection once or twice a month. It is designed to bind to IgE, a naturally-occurring antibody, and prevent it from triggering the release of chemicals that provoke asthma and allergy attacks.
In the study, 419 patients with severe persistent asthma were randomized to Xolair or placebo for 28 weeks. All patients were receiving high doses of inhaled corticosteroids plus so-called long-acting beta2-agonists and two thirds were receiving additional controller medications including 22% who were taking oral corticosteroids. All patients impaired lung function and a history of recent asthma attacks.
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