A meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and tolerability of anti-B-cell monoclonal antibodies in multiple sclerosis

The present study performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-B-cell monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). To the best of our knowledge, no previous meta-analysis has evaluated this. Relevant studies published until March 2015 were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library using the following keywords: 'Clinical trial', 'randomized', 'multiple sclerosis' or 'MS' and 'monoclonal antibodies' or 'mAbs'. Two authors independently selected the articles and extracted the data. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.3 software. Four randomized clinical trials comprising a total of 745 patients were selected. Anti-B-cell mAb treatment reduced the formation of gadolinium-enhancing lesions [mean difference (MD)=-5.62; 95% confidence interval (CI)=-8.00 to -3.24; P<0.001) and was associated with smaller volume changes of lesions on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MD=-604.40; 95% CI=-941.23 to -267.57; P<0.001). It also significantly reduced the proportion of MS patients having at least one relapse [odds ratio (OR)=0.25; 95% CI=0.14-0.44; P<0.001). Compared to placebo, anti-B-cell mAb treatment did not increase the frequency of adverse events (OR=0.90; 95% CI=0.54-1.49; P=0.68) and serious adverse events (OR=1.13; 95% CI=0.70-1.80; P=0.62). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis suggested that anti-B-cell mAbs are a relatively effective and safe treatment for MS.