A Safety Study of Xolair (Omalizumab) in Patients With Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) Who Remain Symptomatic Despite Treatment With H1 Antihistamines, H2 Blockers, and/or Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01264939 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : December 22, 2010
Results First Posted : November 26, 2013
Last Update Posted : November 26, 2013
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Study Results
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria | Drug: Omalizumab Drug: Placebo Drug: H1 antihistamine, H2 antihistamine, leukotriene receptor antagonist Drug: Diphenhydramine | Phase 3 |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 336 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Safety Study of Xolair (Omalizumab) in Patients With Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) Who Remain Symptomatic Despite Treatment With H1 Antihistamines, H2 Blockers, and/or Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists |
Study Start Date : | February 2011 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | November 2012 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | November 2012 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Participants received placebo subcutaneously every 4 weeks during the 24 week treatment period.
|
Drug: Placebo
Placebo was supplied as a lyophilized, sterile powder in a single-use vial without study drug. Drug: H1 antihistamine, H2 antihistamine, leukotriene receptor antagonist Participants were required to maintain stable doses of their pre-randomization combination therapy with an H1 antihistamine and either an H2 blocker or leukotriene receptor antagonist, or all 3 drugs in combination, throughout the 24-week treatment period and 16-week follow-up period of the 40-week study. Drug: Diphenhydramine Participants were provided with diphenhydramine 25 mg for itch relief on an as-needed basis, up to a maximum of 3 doses within 24 hours for the duration of the 40-week study. |
Experimental: Omalizumab 300 mg
Participants received omalizumab 300 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks during the 24 week treatment period.
|
Drug: Omalizumab
Omalizumab was supplied as a lyophilized, sterile powder in a single-use vial.
Other Name: Xolair Drug: H1 antihistamine, H2 antihistamine, leukotriene receptor antagonist Participants were required to maintain stable doses of their pre-randomization combination therapy with an H1 antihistamine and either an H2 blocker or leukotriene receptor antagonist, or all 3 drugs in combination, throughout the 24-week treatment period and 16-week follow-up period of the 40-week study. Drug: Diphenhydramine Participants were provided with diphenhydramine 25 mg for itch relief on an as-needed basis, up to a maximum of 3 doses within 24 hours for the duration of the 40-week study. |
- Percentage of Participants With Adverse Events [ Time Frame: Baseline to the end of study (up to 40 weeks) ]The percentage of participants with serious adverse events and other adverse events is summarized by MedDRA preferred terms and organ classes in the Reported Adverse Events section below.
- Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Weekly Itch Severity Score [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 12 ]The weekly itch severity score is the sum of the daily itch severity scores over 7 days and ranges from 0 to 21. The daily itch severity score is the average of the morning and evening scores on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (severe). The Baseline weekly itch severity score is the sum of the daily itch severity scores over the 7 days prior to the first treatment. A higher itch severity score indicates more severe itching. A negative change score indicates improvement.
- Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Urticaria Activity Score Over 7 Days (UAS7) [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 12 ]The UAS7 is the sum of the daily urticarial activity scores over 7 days and ranges from 0 to 42. The daily urticarial activity score is the average of the morning and evening urticarial activity scores and ranges from 0 to 6. The urticarial activity score is the sum of ratings on a scale of 0 to 3 (0=none to 3=intense/severe) for (1) the number of wheals (hives) and (2) itch intensity over the previous 12 hours, ranges from 0 to 6, and is measured twice daily (morning and evening). The Baseline score is the sum of the daily urticarial activity scores over the 7 days prior to the first treatment. A higher urticarial activity score indicates more urticaria activity. A negative change score indicates improvement.
- Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Weekly Number of Hives Score [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 12 ]The weekly hives score is the sum of the daily hives scores over 7 days and ranges from 0 to 21. The number of hives is measured twice daily (morning and evening) on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (> 12 hives per 12 hours). The daily hives score is the average of the morning and evening scores. The Baseline score is the sum of the daily hives scores over the 7 days prior to the first treatment. A higher score indicates more hives. A negative change score indicates improvement.
- Time to Minimally Important Difference (MID) Response in the Weekly Itch Severity Score by Week 12 [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 12 ]The time to the MID response is the number of weeks from the start of treatment (Baseline) until the time point at which the first MID response occurs. The MID response is defined as a reduction ≥ 5 points from Baseline in the weekly itch severity score. The weekly itch severity score is the sum of the daily itch severity scores over 7 days and ranges from 0 to 21. The daily itch severity score is the average of the morning and evening scores on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (severe). The Baseline weekly itch severity score is the sum of the daily itch severity scores over the 7 days prior to the first treatment. A higher itch severity score indicates more severe itching.
- Percentage of Participants With a UAS7 Score ≤ 6 at Week 12 [ Time Frame: Week 12 ]The UAS7 is the sum of the daily urticarial activity scores over 7 days and ranges from 0 to 42. The daily urticarial activity score is the average of the morning and evening urticarial activity scores and ranges from 0 to 6. The urticarial activity score is the sum of ratings on a scale of 0 to 3 (0=none to 3=intense/severe) for (1) the number of wheals (hives) and (2) itch intensity over the previous 12 hours, ranges from 0 to 6, and is measured twice daily (morning and evening). The Baseline score is the sum of the daily urticarial activity scores over the 7 days prior to the first treatment. A higher urticarial activity score indicates more urticaria activity.
- Percentage of Weekly Itch Severity Score MID Responders at Week 12 [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 12 ]The percentage of participants with an itch severity score at 12 Weeks at least 5 points lower than at Baseline. The weekly itch severity score is the sum of the daily itch severity scores over 7 days and ranges from 0 to 21. The daily itch severity score is the average of the morning and evening scores on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (severe). The Baseline weekly itch severity score is the sum of the daily itch severity scores over the 7 days prior to the first treatment. A higher itch severity score indicates more severe itching.
- Change From Baseline to Week 12 in the Weekly Size of the Largest Hive Score [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 12 ]The weekly size of the largest hive score is the sum of the daily size of the largest hive scores over 7 days and ranges from 0 to 21. The daily size of the largest hive score is assessed twice daily (morning and evening) on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (> 2.5 cm). The daily size of the largest hive score is the average of the morning and evening scores. The Baseline weekly size of the largest hive score is calculated over the 7 days prior to the first treatment. A higher score indicates larger hives. A negative change score indicates a reduction in hive size.
- Change From Baseline in the Overall Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Score at Week 12 [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 12 ]The DLQI is a 10-item dermatology-specific health-related quality of life measure. Patients rated their dermatology symptoms as well as the impact of their skin condition on various aspects of their lives on a scale of 0 (Not at all) to 3 (Very much). The overall DLQI is the sum of the responses to the 10 items and ranges from 0 to 30. A lower score indicates a better quality of life. A negative change score indicates improvement.
- Percentage of Angioedema-free Days From Week 4 to Week 12 [ Time Frame: Week 4 to Week 12 ]The percentage of angioedema-free days from Weeks 4 to 12 was defined as the number of days for which a patient responded "No" to the angioedema question in the daily diary divided by the total number of days with a non-missing diary entry, starting at the Week 4 visit and ending the day prior to the Week 12 visit.
- Percentage of Complete Responders (UAS7 = 0) at Week 12 [ Time Frame: Week 12 ]A complete responder was defined as a participant with a UAS7 score = 0 at Week 12. The UAS7 is the sum of the daily urticarial activity scores over 7 days and ranges from 0 to 42. The daily urticarial activity score is the average of the morning and evening urticarial activity scores and ranges from 0 to 6. The urticarial activity score is the sum of ratings on a scale of 0 to 3 (0=none to 3=intense/severe) for (1) the number of wheals (hives) and (2) itch intensity over the previous 12 hours, ranges from 0 to 6, and is measured twice daily (morning and evening). The Baseline score is the sum of the daily urticarial activity scores over the 7 days prior to the first treatment. A higher urticarial activity score indicates more urticaria activity.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 12 Years to 75 Years (Child, Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Diagnosis of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) refractory to H1 antihistamines, H2 blockers, and/or leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) at the time of randomization.
- The presence of itch and hives for > 6 consecutive weeks at any time prior to enrollment despite current use of H1 antihistamine (up to 4 times the approved dosage), H2 blocker, and/or LTRA treatment during this time.
- Urticaria activity score over 7 days (UAS7) score (range 0-42) ≥ 16 and itch component of UAS7 (range 0-21) ≥ 8 during 7 days prior to randomization (Week 0).
- In-clinic UAS ≥ 4 on at least one of the screening visit days (Day -14, Day -7, or Day 1).
- For women of childbearing potential, agreement to use an acceptable form of contraception and to continue its use for the duration of the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Treatment with an investigational agent within 30 days prior to screening.
- Weight less than 20 kg (44 lbs).
- Clearly defined underlying etiology for chronic urticarias other than CIU.
- Evidence of parasitic infection.
- Atopic dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis, senile pruritus, or other skin disease associated with itch.
- Previous treatment with omalizumab within a year prior to screening.
- Routine doses of the following medications within 30 days prior to screening: Systemic or cutaneous (topical) corticosteroids (prescription or over the counter), hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, or cyclophosphamide.
- Intravenous (IV) immunoglobulin G (IVIG), or plasmapheresis within 30 days prior to screening.
- Regular (daily/every other day) doxepin (oral) use within 6 weeks prior to screening.
- Patients with current malignancy, history of malignancy, or currently under work-up for suspected malignancy except non-melanoma skin cancer that has been treated or excised and is considered resolved.
- Hypersensitivity to omalizumab or any component of the formulation.
- History of anaphylactic shock.
- Presence of clinically significant cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric, metabolic, or other pathological conditions that could interfere with the interpretation of the study results and or compromise the safety of the patients.
- Evidence of current drug or alcohol abuse.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01264939

Study Director: | Edward R. Conner, M.D. | Genentech, Inc. |
Responsible Party: | Genentech, Inc. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01264939 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
Q4883g GA00889 ( Other Identifier: Hoffmann-La Roche ) |
First Posted: | December 22, 2010 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | November 26, 2013 |
Last Update Posted: | November 26, 2013 |
Last Verified: | September 2013 |
Urticaria Chronic Urticaria Skin Diseases, Vascular Skin Diseases Hypersensitivity, Immediate Hypersensitivity Immune System Diseases Chronic Disease Disease Attributes Pathologic Processes Omalizumab Diphenhydramine Promethazine Leukotriene Antagonists Histamine H1 Antagonists |
Histamine Antagonists Anti-Allergic Agents Anti-Asthmatic Agents Respiratory System Agents Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical Hypnotics and Sedatives Central Nervous System Depressants Physiological Effects of Drugs Anesthetics, Local Anesthetics Sensory System Agents Peripheral Nervous System Agents Antiemetics Autonomic Agents Gastrointestinal Agents |