preventing asthma in high risk kids

Conditions: Asthma

Summary: this trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial designed to test whether two years treatment of preschool children aged 2-3 years of age at high risk for asthma with omalizumab (anti-ige) for two years will prevent the progression to childhood asthma, as reflected by a reduction in the prevalence of active asthma in the final 12 months during 2 year observation period off study drug.

prevention/ disease modification of asthma.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. parent/guardian must be able to understand and provide signed and dated written informed consent; he/she must also be able to communicate with study staff. 2. 24-47 months of age at randomization 3. 2-4 wheezing episodes in the past year 4. positive allergy to aeroallergen 5. first degree relative with history or current diagnosis of asthma or allergy 6. if is participating in a food immunotherapy treatment that is not part of a clinical trial, has been on an established maintenance regimen implemented continuously for a minimum of 2 months. exclusion criteria: 1. \>4 episodes of wheezing in the past year 2. use of step 5 or step 6 therapy (ics plus laba ) at the time of enrollment (visit 0). 3. need for systemic corticosteroids or a hospitalization for respiratory symptoms within four weeks prior to screening. 4. three or more courses of systemic corticosteroids for wheezing illnesses in the last year 5. more than four days of symptoms of wheezing, or tightness in the chest or cough in the past two weeks causing at least minimal limitation of activity 6. more than four days of albuterol treatment (for symptoms) in the past two weeks 7. more than one night of symptoms of wheezing, or tightness in the chest or cough causing sleep disruption in the past two weeks 8. more than one night of albuterol treatment (for symptoms) in the past two weeks 9. prematurity (\<34 weeks gestation) 10. need for oxygen for more than 5 days in the neonatal period 11. history of intubation or mechanical ventilation for respiratory illness 12. other significant medical conditions, including: major congenital anomalies, cystic fibrosis, chronic pulmonary diseases, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, thoracic surgery, history of tuberculosis, immunodeficiency (primary or secondary), seizure disorders 13. expecting to relocate within 4 years of study initiation to a place which would make in-person clinical visits impossible 14. deemed unable to adhere to study activities 15. prior aeroallergen immunotherapy or use of biologics including anti-ige 16. prior ivig or systemic immunosuppressant other than corticosteroids 17. history of hypoxic seizures during a wheezing episode 18. total ige outside of the omalizumab dosing range. 19. enrolled in any clinical medication trial within the past 30 days. 20. with platelet counts \< 150 x 109/l at the screening visit (v0) 21. past or current medical problems or findings from physical examination or laboratory testing that are not listed above, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may pose additional risks from participation in the study, may interfere with the participant's ability to comply with study requirements or may impact the quality or interpretation of the data obtained from the study. 22. history of severe anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions from any cause