SummaryAnti‐IgE autoantibodies exist predominantly in the sera of patients with atopic disease. For some time such anti‐IgE autoantibodies have been considered a phenomenon that may not be of clinical importance. The cloning of such anti‐IgE autoantibodies has eliminated doubts of whether these antibodies exist, but it is still unclear whether such autoantibodies play a pathophysiological role. However, there are ongoing clinical trials that use humanized anti‐IgE antibodies for passive immunization of atopic individuals. While this approach may not definitely clarify the role of anti‐IgE autoantibodies, it will nevertheless clarify the role of IgE.