Clinical and Biological Effects of Anti-IgE (Omalizumab) in Patients With Bilateral Nasal Polyposis and Asthma

This pilot study is a double-blinded, randomized controlled, two-centre trial in which subjects will receive 4 to 8 (subcutaneous administered) doses of medication (Omalizumab or placebo) (dose and dosing interval calculated on body weight and baseline total serum IgE). During the treatment period and follow-up, the clinical efficacy of the treatment will be assessed by evaluation of symptoms, Quality of Life questionnaire, morning Peak Expiratory Flow measurement, smell test, nasal endoscopy, CT-scan, peak nasal inspiratory flow and spirometry. Biological activity will be evaluated by measuring peripheral and local (in serum, in nasal secretions, biopsies) markers of inflammation.

Study hypothesis

1. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of anti-IgE (Omalizumab) in patients with nasal polyposis and comorbid asthma.
2. Exploration of anti-IgE effects on local and systemic metabolism of IgE in nasal polyposis
3. Clinical assessment of the IgE theory in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects must be at least 18 years of age, of either gender and any race.
* Subjects must have a diagnosis of bilateral nasal polyps at screening and baseline that have recurred after surgical resection or nasal polyps that are grades 3 or 4 in both nares using the scoring system described in table 5. Bilateral nasal polyposis is defined as sinus symptoms for more than 3 months, bilateral opacity on CT-scan imaging and visible nasal polyps at endoscopy.

Subjects must have a diagnosis of asthma for more than 2 years. Subjects must be in good health, free of any clinically significant disease that would interfere with the study schedule or procedures or compromise his/her safety.

* Subjects must be willing to give informed consent and adhere to visit schedules, medication restrictions, and agree to perform daily diary entries.
* Subjects must be free of any upper respiratory tract infection within two weeks prior to inclusion.
* Clinical laboratory tests must be within normal limits or clinically acceptable for the investigator.
* Non-pregnant women of childbearing potential must use a medically acceptable, adequate form of birth control. This includes: a) hormonal contraceptive as prescribed by a physician (eg, oral combined, hormonal implant, depot injectable); b) medically prescribed Intra-Uterine Device (IUD); c) condom in combination with a spermicide; d) monogamous relationship with a male partner who has had a vasectomy or is using a condom plus spermicide during the study. They must have started this birth control method at least three months prior to screening (with the exception of condom in combination with a spermicide), and they must agree to continue its use for at least 3 months after last dosing. Women of childbearing potential who are not currently sexually active must agree and consent to using a double-barrier method should they become sexually active during the course of this study. Women who are surgically sterilized or are at least one year postmenopausal are considered not to be of childbearing potential. However, all female subjects must have a urine pregnancy test prior to treatment, which must be negative. A monthly-control pregnancy test is requested.
* Male subjects must agree to use an adequate form of birth control from first dosing to at least 3 months after last dosing. They must either agree to use a condom with spermicide or agree to have sexual relations only with women using medically acceptable forms of birth control as described above.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Women must not be pregnant, breast feeding, or premenarcheal.
* Patients younger than 18 years old.
* Subjects with history of systemic reactions to the study medication.
* Subjects with prohibited medication at screening without full wash-out period.
* Subjects with acute sinusitis, concurrent nasal infection, or subjects who have had a nasal or upper respiratory tract infection within two weeks of the inclusion are excluded.
* Subjects with cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary's dysfunction or Kartagener's syndrome by history are excluded.
* Subjects must not have ever been diagnosed with a parasitic infection.
* Subjects must not have ever been diagnosed with cancer
* Subjects must not have a medical history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or hepatitis B or C. Testing will not be done at screening.
* Subjects must not have had an acute asthmatic attack requiring admission to a hospital (excluding emergency room visits which resulted in direct discharge without hospitalization) within the four weeks prior to screening.
* Subjects must not have received specific immunotherapy within the previous three months.