A Pilot Study of the Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis With Omalizumab
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an increasingly recognized condition characterized by
dysphagia, food impaction or other obstructive esophageal symptoms in children and young
adults.
The pathophysiology of EE appears to be an allergy/atopy mediated disease. A personal and
family history of allergic diseases (food allergies, atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic
rhinitis or conjunctivitis) has been noted in 62-85% of patients with EE. The rising
incidence of EE may be related to the worldwide allergy and asthma epidemic.
Current treatment of EE is directed at decreasing esophageal allergic inflammation. Oral and
topical corticosteroids, cromolyn sodium, montelukast and elemental/elimination diets have
all been shown to be effective. However, none of these treatments are directed at the
specific pathophysiologic mechanism of EE and some have significant side effects.
The shared pathogenetic mechanisms of EE and asthma suggest that therapeutic strategies
directed at asthma may also be effective for EE. Specifically those targeted at the allergic
immune mechanisms involved with asthma may be effective. Omalizumab is a recently developed
anti-IgE antibody that has been shown to decrease the use of inhaled and oral
corticosteroids, reduce the frequency of asthma exacerbations, and improve asthma related
symptoms in patients with allergic asthma. The objective of the study is to determine the
efficacy of omalizumab in the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis