Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2022 | Rituximab | Research
Effect size of rituximab on pulmonary function in the treatment of connective-tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors:
Yuanchen Zhao, Yang Gao, Tananchai Petnak, Wisit Cheungpasitporn, Charat Thongprayoon, Xing Zhang, Teng Moua
Published in:
Respiratory Research
|
Issue 1/2022
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Abstract
Background
Rituximab (RTX) has been previously reported as directed treatment in patients with connective-tissue disease-related interstitial lung diseases (CTD-ILD). A systematic assessment of treatment effect size on pulmonary function outcomes and related adverse effects in patients with CTD-ILD has not been previously reported.
Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published reports from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Libraries. Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, case–control, cohort, and case series (with five or more cases) containing individual pulmonary function data and adverse effects were included. Study endpoints were pre- and post-treatment change in percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC %) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO%), along with reported drug-related adverse events.
Results
Twenty studies totaling 411 patients were identified with 14 included in the meta-analysis of pulmonary function and six in the descriptive review. Random effects meta-analysis of pre- and post-treatment pulmonary function findings demonstrated increases in FVC% (n = 296) (mean difference (MD) 4.57%, [95% CI 2.63–6.51]) and DLCO% (n = 246) (MD 5.0% [95% CI 2.71–7.29]) after RTX treatment. RTX treatment-related adverse effects were reported in 13.6% of the pooled cohort.
Conclusions
A systematic assessment of post-treatment effect size suggests a potential role for RTX in stabilizing or improving lung function in patients with CTD-ILD, with a modest but not insignificant adverse effect profile.