Efficacy of Omalizumab in Adults (18-60 Years of Age) With Moderate-Severe, Persistent Allergic Asthma, Despite Receiving Inhaled Corticosteroids and Long Acting Beta-agonists (eXplore)

This study aims to investigate the effect of omalizumab on the number of tissue eosinophils and other markers of airway inflammation and remodeling, including thickness of the lamina reticularis, in moderate to severe asthmatics with persistent symptoms and evidence of airway inflammation despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta-agonists. This study will also investigate the correlation between systemic and pulmonary inflammation, and the correlation between clinical outcomes and changes within the tissue, to assist in the future identification of patients with tissue eosinophilia and their response to treatment, without the need for invasive bronchoscopy.


Study Type: Interventional
Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: A Randomized, Multi-center, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group Trial to Explore the Effects of 78 Weeks Omalizumab Treatment Given as Add on Therapy on Markers of Airway Inflammation and Remodeling in Patients With Moderate to Severe Persistent Allergic Asthma Receiving Inhaled Corticosteroids and Long Acting Beta-agonists
Enrollment: 36
Study Start Date: April 2008
Study Completion Date: November 2011
Primary Completion Date: November 2011 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Arms:
- Active Comparator: omalizumab
- Placebo Comparator: Placebo