Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42135804›Full record

ArticleOrphanet journal of rare diseases2026

Combined omalizumab and desensitization to control IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in enzyme replacement therapy for late-onset Pompe disease.

Alberto Lerario, Elena Abati, Monica Sciacco, Giacomo Pietro Comi, Vanessa Desantis, Simona D'Amore, Antonio Giovanni Solimando, Roberto Ria, Stefania Corti, Federico Spataro

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Alberto Lerario *Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122, Milano, Italy.
Elena AbatiDino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, 20122, Milan, Italy.
Monica SciaccoNeuromuscular and Rare Disease Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122, Milano, Italy.
Giacomo Pietro ComiDino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, 20122, Milan, Italy.
Vanessa DesantisDepartment of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area - DiMePRe-J, Section of Pharmacology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy. vanessa86.desantis@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1942-2601
Simona D'AmoreDepartment of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area - DiMePRe-J, Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy.
Antonio Giovanni SolimandoDepartment of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area - DiMePRe-J, Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy.
Roberto RiaDepartment of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area - DiMePRe-J, Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy.
Stefania CortiNeuromuscular and Rare Disease Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122, Milano, Italy.
Federico Spataro *Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area - DiMePRe-J, Section of Pharmacology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy. federico.spataro@uniba.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8373-0532

Funding

Complementary National Plan PNC-I.1 "Research initiatives for innovative technologies and pathways in the health and welfare sector" D.D. 931 of 06/06/2022, DARE - DigitAl lifelong pRevEntion initiative PNC0000002postgraduate school of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Program, Bari Aldo Moro University postgraduate school of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Program, Bari Aldo Moro University
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPompe disease is a rare, progressive lysosomal storage disorder caused by acid α-glucosidase deficiency, leading to glycogen accumulation, proximal muscle weakness, and respiratory decline. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) significantly improves survival and stabilizes motor function, but IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) can critically compromise treatment, posing a major clinical challenge. Desensitization protocols allow temporary tolerance to ERT, yet breakthrough reactions may occur, necessitating adjunctive strategies such as omalizumab.

resultsWe report a 40-year-old woman with late-onset Pompe disease who developed severe IgE-mediated HSRs to alglucosidase alfa after years of uneventful therapy. Basophil activation testing (BAT) and serum-specific IgE confirmed an IgE-mediated mechanism. A 15-step, 5-bag desensitization protocol allowed temporary tolerance, but breakthrough reactions required therapy interruption. Upon switching to avalglucosidase alfa, BAT demonstrated IgE cross-reactivity, and a new desensitization protocol was implemented. Initial infusions were complicated by recurrent HSRs. The addition of subcutaneous omalizumab (300 mg monthly), administered two days before ERT, enabled safe reintroduction. Moreover, therapy was resumed gradually, starting at 50% of the target dose and escalating stepwise to the full therapeutic dose, resulting in uninterrupted treatment. Follow-up showed stable neuromuscular and respiratory function, progressive decline in BAT reactivity, and improved quality of life.

conclusionsThis case highlights the critical role of BAT in diagnosing and monitoring IgE-mediated HSRs, the efficacy of individualized desensitization protocols, and the utility of omalizumab as an adjunctive therapy in refractory cases. In rare diseases like Pompe, documenting such integrated allergological strategies provides practical guidance for maintaining access to life-prolonging therapy and offers a reproducible framework for managing complex allergic complications.

Indexed as

Desensitization, ImmunologicEnzyme Replacement TherapyGlycogen Storage Disease Type IIImmunoglobulin EOmalizumabAdultalpha-GlucosidasesFemaleHumansalpha-GlucosidasesImmunoglobulin EOmalizumabAvalglucosidaseBasophil activation testDesensitizationDrug allergyEnzyme replacement therapyOmalizumabPompe disease

Identifiers

PMID42135804
PMCPMC13352768

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.