RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Duration of the efficacy of omalizumab after treatment discontinuation in ‘real life’ severe asthma JF Thorax JO Thorax FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society SP 782 OP 784 DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2017-210017 VO 73 IS 8 A1 Maria del Carmen Vennera A1 Carlos Sabadell A1 Cesar Picado A1 , YR 2018 UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/73/8/782.abstract AB Efficacy of omalizumab in severe asthma is well documented; however, the optimal duration of the treatment remains unclear. In an open prospective study, we sought to assess the persistence of response in subjects withdrawing from omalizumab treatment. We evaluated 49 patients who voluntarily accepted to discontinue omalizumab treatment after 6 years of therapy. Asthma relapse was defined as any severe asthma exacerbation associated with loss of asthma control. Twelve patients relapsed in the first year of follow-up, and 7 within 13 and 48 months. These results suggest that the effects of 6 years of omalizumab may persist after discontinuation of therapy in 60% of patients for at least 4 years.