Systematic review, and meta-analysis of steroid-sparing effect, of biologic agents in randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials for systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objectives: To systematically review, and conduct a meta-analysis of steroid-sparing effect in, phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trials of biologic therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Studies were identified by searching Medline (via Pubmed), EMBASE, CINAHL and SCOPUS databases, the Cochrane library, and clinicaltrials.gov. Adult human studies published in English in the last ten years (until 18/04/2017) were included. A random-effects meta-analysis comparing a common corticosteroid-reduction endpoint in the trials of rituximab, belimumab, tabalumab and epratuzumab in SLE, was conducted. Results: Twenty-eight studies were identified; nine were conducted in SLE, f..