Yang Hu1, Hao Nie1, Hai-Han Yu1, Chuan Qin1, Long-Jun Wu2, Zhou-Ping Tang3, Dai-Shi Tian4. 1. Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. 2. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, United States. 3. Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. Electronic address: ddjtzp@163.com. 4. Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. Electronic address: tiands@tjh.tjmu.edu.cn.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. RESULTS: Fifteen studies that collectively included 946 patients were selected for the meta-analysis. Rituximab therapy was associated with the mean annualized relapse rates decreasing by 0.80 (95% confidence interval, 0.45-1.15) and the mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score decreasing by 0.46 (95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.87). The likelihood of patients experiencing a relapse after starting rituximab therapy was only 15% (95% confidence interval, 7%-26%). Although mild-to-moderate adverse events occurred in 29.6% of the patients, there were no severe adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This systematic review and meta-analysis shows that rituximab is associated with reduced annualized relapse rates and disability levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It is also well tolerated and is not associated with serious adverse events.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. RESULTS: Fifteen studies that collectively included 946 patients were selected for the meta-analysis. Rituximab therapy was associated with the mean annualized relapse rates decreasing by 0.80 (95% confidence interval, 0.45-1.15) and the mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score decreasing by 0.46 (95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.87). The likelihood of patients experiencing a relapse after starting rituximab therapy was only 15% (95% confidence interval, 7%-26%). Although mild-to-moderate adverse events occurred in 29.6% of the patients, there were no severe adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This systematic review and meta-analysis shows that rituximab is associated with reduced annualized relapse rates and disability levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It is also well tolerated and is not associated with serious adverse events.
Authors: Michael Zhong; Anneke van der Walt; Maria Pia Campagna; Jim Stankovich; Helmut Butzkueven; Vilija Jokubaitis Journal: Neurotherapeutics Date: 2020-10-14 Impact factor: 7.620
Authors: Edward Fox; Amy E Lovett-Racke; Matthew Gormley; Yue Liu; Maria Petracca; Sirio Cocozza; Richard Shubin; Sibyl Wray; Michael S Weiss; Jenna A Bosco; Sean A Power; Koby Mok; Matilde Inglese Journal: Mult Scler Date: 2020-04-30 Impact factor: 6.312
Authors: Brandi L Vollmer; Kavita Nair; Stefan Sillau; John R Corboy; Timothy Vollmer; Enrique Alvarez Journal: Ann Clin Transl Neurol Date: 2020-08-06 Impact factor: 4.511