JUST THE BASICS

If you have severe asthma, hives, or food allergies, you may be recommended to take one of the newer drugs called “biologics” to control your symptoms. Biologics are designed to target a specific part of the immune system that is overactive in people with severe allergies. This cartoon reviews how different biologic drugs work for people with allergies, and what part of the immune system they block!

TELL ME SOMETHING NERDY

Omalizumab works by blocking IgE, the antibody that triggers allergic reactions. Even though omalizumab blocks IgE, it does not cause IgE levels to go down. Instead, IgE levels will actually rise on omalizumab, as shown in the cartoon. Why is this? Normally, IgE circulates in the blood stream for 2-3 days before it is either eliminated or binds to the surface of cells like mast cells. Omalizumab, however, is made from long-lasting IgG1 antibodies. When it sticks to IgE, it takes longer for our body to clear the IgE. It also stops IgE from binding to the surface of mast cells. The result: more IgE lingering in our blood stream. Fortunately, IgE that is bound to omalizumab is no longer active and can’t cause allergic reactions anymore!

To be published in the January 2025 Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology