D3.231 - "All-You-Can-Eat": Omalizumab as a Curative Treatment for Severe Food Allergies - A Case Report

Background: Omalizumab is an anti-IgE antibody indicated for the treatment of allergic asthma, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. While its effectiveness as an adjunct therpy in treating food allergies has been studied, its potential as a standalone curative treatment, especially in patients with severe asthma and severe anaphylaxis, remains unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of omalizumab as a standalone treatment for severe food allergies and uncontrolled asthma in a patient with a history of severe anaphylaxis.

Methods: A 26-year-old woman with severe multiple food allergies and uncontrolled asthma after an unsuccessful oral immunotherapy trial underwent treatment with omalizumab at a dose of 450mg every two weeks based on the patient's IgE levels and body weight. Skin prick tests and oral challenges were performed to assess clinical response.

Results: Omalizumab treatment led to significant improvement in asthma symptoms and a marked decrease in allergic reactions to multiple foods. The patient was able to successfully tolerate oral challenges with previously avoided allergens, including milk, and was able to freely include multiple previously allergenic foods in her daily diet.

Conclusions: This is the first case describing an adult patient with uncontrolled asthma and severe food allergies who was essentially "cured" using omalizumab alone. The findings suggests that omalizumab may be a promising standalone treatment option for severe food allergies, even in patients with a history of anaphylaxis and uncontrolled asthma. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the broader applicability of this treatment approach.

Ethics Statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of clinical details included in this case report.