Use of Biomarker Based on Human Basophil Syk Expression to Predict the Clinical Efficacy of Omalizumab Treatment in Allergic Asthmatics

Treatment with omalizumab results in the increased sensitivity of basophils to IgE-mediated stimulation, likely due to an increase in syk expression in basophils. Studies in patients with peanut allergy suggested that the increased sensitivity works in opposition to the therapeutic benefits of reduced free IgE. This study examined whether a priori knowledge of syk expression or maximum IgE-mediated histamine release, which is related to syk expression, would provide a predictor of the efficacy of omalizumab in patients with allergic asthma.