The dosing level and frequency of omalizumab are guided by a dosing table based on total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and bodyweight. Using a validated, mathematical simulation model (based on concentration data from 8 studies), we evaluated the impact of a revised omalizumab dosing table (every 4 weeks dosing regimen) on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of free and total IgE. Safety analysis, in patients with high levels of exposure to omalizumab, was done using data from the clinical and post-marketing databases. The model accurately predicted observed omalizumab, free and total IgE concentrations. After reaching steady-state, the average increase in exposure was 10%, even for patients with the highest concentrations at the upper 97.5th percentile. Free IgE suppression slightly increased in the initial phase, and slightly reduced at the trough of the dosing cycle, but average suppression remained similar for both regimens. The safety profile of omalizumab was similar for patients receiving higher or lower doses. Thus, doubling the dose of omalizumab, in a subset of patients receiving 225-300 mg of omalizumab (every 2 weeks dosing regimen) can efficiently suppress free IgE without compromising safety or efficacy.
Keywords: Allergic asthma; Anti-immunoglobulin E; Dosing table; Modeling and simulation; Omalizumab.
Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.