Tacrolimus versus cyclophosphamide for patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and treated with steroids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The therapeutic effects of tacrolimus (TAC) versus cyclophosphamide (CTX) were not fully illustrated for patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).

METHODS:

The PubMed, EmBase, Cochrane library, and CNKI were systematically searched throughout March 2020 for randomized controlled trials evaluating the therapeutic effects of TAC versus CTX for IMN patients treated with steroids. The pooled relative risks (RRs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model.

RESULTS:

Twelve trials recruited a total of 868 IMN patients were identified and contained in final meta-analysis. Patients in TAC group was associated with an increased incidence of overall remission (12 trials: 868 patients; RR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.11-1.31; p < 0.001) and complete remission (12 trials: 868 patients; RR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.25-1.80; p < 0.001). Moreover, we noted TAC therapy significantly reduced urinary protein excretion (9 trials: 567 patients; WMD: -1.06; 95%CI: -1.41 to -0.71; p < 0.001), and increased serum albumin (9 trials: 567 patients; WMD: 5.37; 95%CI: 2.97 to 7.77; p < 0.001) than CTX therapy. Furthermore, no significant difference between TAC and CTX for serum creatinine was detected (6 trials: 378 patients; WMD: 0.15; 95%CI: -3.46 to 3.75; p = 0.936). Finally, the risk of alopecia (p = 0.008), infection (p = 0.045), leukocytosis (p = 0.002), and elevated ALT/AST (p = 0.011) in TAC group was significantly lower than CTX group, whereas TAC was associated with an increased risk of tremor than CTX (p = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study found IMN patients treated with TAC combined with steroids provides a better therapeutic effect and less adverse events than those treated with CTX combined with steroids, with moderate-certainty evidence.

• Authors: Haiting Huang, Zhao Liang, Xintong Zheng, Qin Qing, Xiuri Du, Zhiming Tang, Meili Wei, Chen Wang, Qiuhong Zhong, Xu Lin
• Journal: Renal failure (Ren Fail) Vol. 43 Issue 1 Pg. 840-850 (Dec 2021) ISSN: 1525-6049 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34016023 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review)

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Steroids
• Cyclophosphamide
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Cyclophosphamide (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Glomerulonephritis, Membranous (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Remission Induction
• Steroids (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Tacrolimus (adverse effects, therapeutic use)