As the College previously reported, on Feb. 16, the FDA announced its approval of omalizumab as the first biologic medication to treat patients with food allergy. This approval was informed by data from the OUtMATCH Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on February 25.
This treatment is now indicated for IgE-mediated food allergy in adult and pediatric patients aged one and older for the reduction of allergic reactions that may occur with accidental exposure to one or more foods and is to be used in conjunction with food allergen avoidance. The announcement has made a big impression with allergists and consumers alike.
Our latest two-part AllergyTalk podcast series explores the many questions inspired by this news: what did the study results show; which patients are most likely to benefit; how to incorporate omalizumab into current treatment plans; and how the treatment will (or won’t) be covered by insurance, to name a few.
Part 1 is Omalizumab for Food Allergy – Reviewing the Evidence. Listen as AllergyTalk host Gerald Lee, MD, interviews Robert Wood, MD, Primary Investigator of the OUtMATCH study, and Brian Vickery, MD, one of the site investigators. They delve into the study design, participant profiles and results, and why this event is big news in allergy/immunology. They also review the details of the FDA approval for this indication.
Part 2 is Omalizumab for Food Allergy – Implementation into Practice. Guests Sharon Chinthrajah, MD, a co-chair of the OUtMATCH study, and Brian Vickery, MD discuss important considerations for implementing this application of omalizumab into practice. They touch on who qualifies for the treatment; how to determine which patients would benefit most; and how to be ready for the inevitable wave of questions about this medication from their food allergy patients. Shared decision-making with the patient is an important topic, as well as various tests to consider before starting omalizumab for this indication, and its use vis a vis OIT.
Join this exciting discussion by tuning in to AllergyTalk on the College website, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Robert Wood, MD, is the Julie and Neil Reinhard Professor of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and Division Director at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Primary Investigator of the OUtMATCH study.
Brian Vickery, MD, is the Marcus Professor of Pediatric Immunology and Division Chief at Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He was one of the site investigators of the OUtMATCH study.
Sharon Chinthrajah, MD, an associate professor at Stanford University and the Director of the Sean N Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research. She is a co-chair of the OUtMATCH study.
AllergyTalk is hosted by Gerald Lee, MD, and edited by AllergyWatch Editor Stanley Fineman, MD, MBA.
