Anti-immunoglobulin E for the treatment of allergic disease.

IgE plays a central role in allergic disease and participates in the associated inflammatory process. A mainstay of treatment of allergic disease, including asthma, is allergen avoidance and treatment of symptoms. Presently, the most effective treatments for allergic diseases are directed towards a regulation of the inflammatory process with corticosteroids. An exciting new approach is anti-IgE (rhuMAb-E25), which would regulate the allergic process at the level of IgE. The following information will review recent experiences with anti-IgE and discuss the conditions in which this approach may be effective.