A 40-year-old female with c-kit-positive ISM had daily flushing, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and loose stools 3-4 times per day. She had cutaneous lesions of telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans and tryptase 55.2 ng/ml (). She complained of debilitating bone pain, episodic presyncope, shortness of breath, and frequent palpitations. Ongoing medications included cetirizine, ranitidine, ketotifen, and cromolyn. Treatment with omalizumab 300 mg every 4 weeks was started (). After 3 injections, bone pain and GI symptoms had subsided. After 6 cycles of omalizumab, cutaneous lesions had decreased in number, daily palpitations and syncopal episodes had subsided, and tryptase had increased to 61.7 ng/ml (). She was subsequently able to discontinue both ketotifen and cromolyn with ongoing treatment with omalizumab.
A 51-year-old female with c-kit-positive ISM and tryptase 31.8 ng/ml () reported intermittent episodes of shortness of breath, chest tightness, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. She had generalized lesions of urticaria pigmentosa involving her entire body, although numerous on her lower extremities. Ketotifen and ranitidine failed to control the symptoms. Omalizumab injections were started at 300 mg every two weeks (). At follow-up, her shortness of breath and chest tightness were controlled and GI symptoms had improved. Furthermore, her urticaria pigmentosa had improved and was now only observed on the lower abdomen and upper thighs. After the fourth cycle of omalizumab, she experienced an immediate multisystem reaction with respiratory distress and tongue swelling. A fifth cycle was attempted but again resulted in a similar reaction, leading to discontinuation of omalizumab therapy. At follow-up, she reported a worsening respiratory and functional status as well as 3-4 loose bowel movements per day. Basal tryptase levels had increased up to 41.2 ng/ml ().