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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01713725

Efficacy and Safety Study of Omalizumab (Xolair®) to Treat Chronic Urticaria

Chronic urticaria can be defined as the occurrence of widespread daily or almost daily wheals for at least 6 weeks, which may be accompanied by angioedema. While the wheals are transient, the resolution of angioedema is slower than wheals and could take up to 72 hours. The natural course of chronic urticaria is self-limited, with spontaneous remissions and occasional relapses. The investigators calculated a 0.6% (95% CI(Confidence Interval): 0.4-0.8) prevalence in a population study. It has a great impact on patients' quality of life. In a recent national survey on patients attending Allergy Department, chronic urticaria was the disease with greater impact on mental quality of life out of all allergic diseases.

In spite of the high morbidity of this disease and the impact in quality of life, there is no available treatment. Last guidelines recommend initiating treatment with antihistamine and if there is no response to increase the dose off-label up to four-fold; systemic corticosteroids are also recommended in short tapering and if no response, the only treatment with clinical evidence to be employed is cyclosporine. As additional data, the treatment cost of this disease has been calculated in 2047$/year.

In past years it has been employed the monoclonal humanized anti-Immunoglobulin IgE (iGE) antibody (Omalizumab) to treat moderate to severe asthma with good results. The rationale for this approach in chronic urticaria is that Omalizumab inhibits the binding of IgE to the high affinity IgE receptor (FceRI) which decreases the FceRI expression on the surface of mast cells and basophils so that immunoglobulin G cross linking of the alpha subunit and basophil degranulation is prevented.The hypothesis the investigators are working on is that monoclonal IgE antibody Omalizumab could be effective in controlling chronic urticaria symptoms in patients non respondent to conventional therapy. The investigators hypothesize that Omalizumab is able to revert the basophil or mast cell activation present in chronic urticaria.

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Key information

Conditions

Chronic Urticaria Chronic Disease Disease Attributes Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Immediate Immune System Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Skin Diseases Skin Diseases, Vascular Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Urticaria

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Hospital Santiago Apostol, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain

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About this study

The objective of the present study is to demonstrate with an adequate methodology the efficacy and safety of Omalizumab for a new indication that is chronic autoimmune and no autoimmune urticaria. For that purpose, The investigators will perform a Multicenter double- blinded, placebo- controlled, randomized cross-over (2x2) trial. The investigators will include 20 patients including both female and male adults non respondent to antihistamines at supra therapeutic dose. Efficacy will be evaluated through the Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7), Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life validated questionnaire, patients' symptoms card and use of medication. Dropouts in each treatment group will be also evaluated. The investigators will also record leave days because of urticaria and Emergency Department visits, as well as adverse reactions during treatment.

The present study would allow to offer to the Health System an evidence to evaluate the convenience or not to approve the use of Omalizumab for the new indication of chronic urticaria treatment. It is important to take into account that in the present study the investigators will include both autoimmune and non-autoimmune urticaria, since the efficacy could differ between both urticaria types. In the same way, the Health Authorities (AEMPS) would have independent additional information obtained through adequate methodology in the case that a new indication is requested. The investigators also want to stress that in the near future the company that manufactures this antibody could ask for a new indication for chronic urticaria.

A third outcome expected is to offer information on the lasting effect of the drug that is symptoms' free weeks after the dose. This information would be provided from the washing period data and from those patients who were allocated of placebo after the active drug arm. This would give much needed information on the best dosing scheduling protocol.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adult female and male patients
  • Diagnosis of chronic autoimmune or non autoimmune urticaria
  • The investigators defined chronic urticarial as the occurrence of widespread daily or almost daily wheals for at least 6 weeks, which may be accompanied by angioedema. While the wheals are transient, the resolution of angioedema is slower than wheals and could take up to 72 hours.
  • No response to therapeutic doses of antihistamines
  • The investigators define therapeutic doses of antihistamines the maximal dose included in the drug labeling
  • Written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Urticaria vasculitis or any kind of physical urticaria
  • Total IgE value above 700 UI/l
  • Pruritus related to dermatitis or other skin condition
  • Any systemic disease that do not allow to follow up or interpretation data
  • Omalizumab treatment within the previous 12 months
  • Treatment with corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs within the previous 4 weeks
  • Any exclusion criteria included in the drug labeling
  • Any other condition that do not allow to accomplish the clinical trial requisites as use of drugs, alcohol.

Treatment and study plan

Omalizumab

Biological
  • Two injections will be administered the first two weeks
  • The following three injections will be administered every four weeks Consequently, we will administer 5 doses within 14 weeks

Other names: Xolair

Placebo

Biological
  • Two injections will be administered the first two weeks
  • The following three injections will be administered every four weeks Consequently, we will administer 5 doses within 14 weeks

Other names: Saline serum

Primary outcomes

  1. Symptom's control as measured by the UAS7

    Time frame: One year

    The Urticaria Activity Score 7 measures number the weekly average of hives and pruritus measured twice a day. It scores from 0 to 42

Secondary outcomes

  1. Use of Medication

    Time frame: One year

    Two antihistamines and corticosteroids are allowed as rescue medication that would be recorded by the patient.

  2. Quality of life score (CU-Q2oL)

    Time frame: One year

    Specific QOL score for chronic urticaria.It includes 23 items categorized under the following scales: limits looks, swelling/eating, functioning, sleep, mental status, and itching/embarrassment.

Other outcomes

  1. Treatments drops off

    Time frame: One year

    Number of patients that abandon the study due to lack of control of the disease

  2. Days off

    Time frame: One year

    Days off from work due to chronic urticaria symptoms

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra

Other

Collaborators

  • Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra
  • Gregorio Marañón Hospital
  • Hospital Clinic of Barcelona
  • Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa
  • Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona.
  • Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias
  • Hospital Vall d'Hebron

Registry information

Official study title

Multicenter, Double- Blinded, Placebo- Controlled, Randomized, Cross-over (2x2) Clinical Trial, to Assess Efficacy and Safety of a New Indication for Omalizumab (Xolair®, Novartis) in Autoimmune and no Autoimmune Chronic Urticaria.

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2017
First posted
Oct 25, 2012
Registry last updated
Oct 24, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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