Basophil FcεRI Expression in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Potential Immunological Predictor of Response to Omalizumab Therapy

Acta Derm Venereol. 2017 Jun 9;97(6):698-704. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2654.

Abstract

Although the efficacy of omalizumab has been clearly demonstrated in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), its mechanism of action, which results in improvement in CSU symptoms, is not entirely understood. This study investigated the effect of omalizumab on expression of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on blood basophils from patients with active CSU, and its association with the clinical response. Patients exhibiting significant clinical improvement showed a sharp reduction in the levels of basophil FcεRI after 4 weeks, which was maintained throughout the total duration of the treatment. Such evolution was not observed in non-responder patients. Furthermore, non-responders showed significantly lower baseline levels of FcεRI than responders. Baseline basophil FcεRI expression was found to be a potential immunological predictor of response to omalizumab (100% sensitivity and 73.2% specificity). The results of this study contribute to our knowledge of the therapeutic benefit and mechanism of action of anti-IgE therapy in CSU.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Basophils / immunology*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Omalizumab / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, IgE / blood*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urticaria / blood
  • Urticaria / diagnosis
  • Urticaria / drug therapy*
  • Urticaria / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Receptors, IgE
  • Omalizumab