Rui Tang1, Jiangfan Yu2, Yaqian Shi2, Puyu Zou2, Zhuotong Zeng2, Bingsi Tang2, Yaoyao Wang3, Guanghui Ling4, Mei Luo5, Rong Xiao6. 1. Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China. 2. Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China. 3. Department of Dermatology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310020, Zhejiang, China. 4. Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China. 5. Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China. Electronic address: luomei88@csu.edu.cn. 6. Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China. Electronic address: xiaorong65@csu.edu.cn.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Rituximab is widely prescribed to treat systemic sclerosis (SSc) by the depletion of pathogenic B cells. Nonetheless, the clinical benefit of Rituximab in SSc remains contentious. This meta-analysis was conducted to systematically evaluate the safety and efficacy profile of Rituximab in SSc patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic online query in PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science. The available studies on the use of Rituximab in SSc patients were comprehensively reviewed and investigated. RESULTS: In total, 14 studies, including 597 participants, were analyzed. Pooled results showed the long-term improvement in the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) for skin function (ΔmRSS: 7.00 at 6 months, 9.70 at 12 months, and 10.93 at 24 months), while forced vital capacity (FVC) (ΔFVC: -0.69 at 6 months, -2.62 at 12 months, and -0.67 at 24 months) and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (ΔDLCO: -2.39 at 6 months, -3.28 at 12 months, and -0.79 at 24 months) for lung function remained stable in SSc patients after Rituximab treatment. The rate of Rituximab-related adverse events was 12% in the pooled results. CONCLUSION: The pooled results of this meta-analysis indicated that Rituximab is well tolerated, and it is able to improve cutaneous function and stabilize pulmonary function in SSc patients.
PURPOSE:Rituximab is widely prescribed to treat systemic sclerosis (SSc) by the depletion of pathogenic B cells. Nonetheless, the clinical benefit of Rituximab in SSc remains contentious. This meta-analysis was conducted to systematically evaluate the safety and efficacy profile of Rituximab in SScpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic online query in PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science. The available studies on the use of Rituximab in SScpatients were comprehensively reviewed and investigated. RESULTS: In total, 14 studies, including 597 participants, were analyzed. Pooled results showed the long-term improvement in the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) for skin function (ΔmRSS: 7.00 at 6 months, 9.70 at 12 months, and 10.93 at 24 months), while forced vital capacity (FVC) (ΔFVC: -0.69 at 6 months, -2.62 at 12 months, and -0.67 at 24 months) and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (ΔDLCO: -2.39 at 6 months, -3.28 at 12 months, and -0.79 at 24 months) for lung function remained stable in SScpatients after Rituximab treatment. The rate of Rituximab-related adverse events was 12% in the pooled results. CONCLUSION: The pooled results of this meta-analysis indicated that Rituximab is well tolerated, and it is able to improve cutaneous function and stabilize pulmonary function in SScpatients.
Authors: Marina Maria Vieira de Figueiredo Caldas; Kesley Pablo Morais de Azevedo; Ana Clara de França Nunes; Victor Hugo de Oliveira; Isac Davidson Santiago Fernandes Pimenta; Isabela Dantas Torres de Araújo; Francisco Alves Bezerra Neto; Ana Katherine da Silveira Gonçalves de Oliveira; Grasiela Piuvezam Journal: Adv Rheumatol Date: 2021-02-27