Study shows omalizumab and SCIT superior to medication therapy for hay fever

Both omalizumab (anti-IgE treatment) and subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) are more effective in treating hay fever compared to standard medication therapy, according to a new study.

These findings suggest that for hay fever patients, particularly those experiencing severe symptoms, considering alternative treatments like omalizumab or SCIT may offer superior relief and potentially reduce the need for ongoing medication usage.

The study, which involved 98 outpatient hay fever patients, assessed their responses to routine medication, omalizumab treatment, or SCIT prior to the spring pollen season. Researchers conducted a follow-up 1 month into the pollen season, evaluating comprehensive symptoms and drug scores to analyze therapeutic outcomes.

Results indicated significant relief in symptoms across all treatment groups compared to pre-treatment levels. While patients treated with omalizumab initially demonstrated higher symptoms and medication scores than those undergoing SCIT, both groups showed similar scores post-treatment, which were notably lower than the medication therapy group.

Furthermore, after receiving either omalizumab or SCIT, patients experienced significantly reduced medication scores compared to the medication-only group, approaching the cessation of medication for symptom relief. Interestingly, the study found that mountain juniper-sIgE levels were significantly higher post-treatment in both the medication and omalizumab groups compared to pre-treatment levels.

Reference
Tang R, Lyu X, Hou Y, et al. Comparison of the therapeutic effects of medication therapy, specific immunotherapy and anti-IgE (Omalizumab) in patients with hay fever. Front Immunol. 2024;15:1363034. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1363034. PMID: 38482006; PMCID: PMC10933023.