Clinical trials are underway to assess the effect of Omalizumab (Xolair) in treating Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria otherwise known as Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria. Omalizumab is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody that binds to IgE preventing it from attaching to the surface of airway mast cells and basophils and currently licenced for use in treating allergic asthma. By the same action, if IgE can be prevented from binding to skin mast cells and basophils in chronic urticaria, then these cells are less likely to release pro-inflammatory mediators that trigger the typical wheal and flare reaction so problematic in chronic urticaria.
Ref: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/omalizumab-for-chronic-spontaneous-urticaria-second-line/
