Meta-analysis of etrolizumab versus placebo in ulcerative colitis: safety and efficacy outcomes

Background: The existing body of scientific literature offers inconclusive findings on the safety and therapeutic effectiveness of etrolizumab (ETR) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Objectives: The goal of this meta-analysis is to furnish a comprehensive synthesis of evidence that evaluates the safety and therapeutic effects of ETR in the management of UC. Design: Meta-analysis. Data sources and methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of science were searched to collect relevant English studies, and the reference lists of eligible studies were manually searched to avoid missing any eligible studies. Outcome measures encompassed clinical response, incidence of adverse events, histological remission, endoscopic remission, endoscopic improvement, and antidrug antibodies. Relevant data were extracted by two independent investigators. Results: The meta-analysis incorporated five eligible studies, involving a total of 1528 patients, with 1015 treated with ETR and 513 with placebo. The pooled analysis indicates that ETR is both effective and safe. The adverse event rates, endoscopic and histological response, as well as overall remission were comparable between the two groups. The monoclonal antibody group had a lower incidence rate of adverse reactions than the placebo group [odds ratio (OR): 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-1.03; p = 0.09)]. Clinical response was higher in the ETR group than in the placebo group (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.20-2.02; p = 0.0009), and endoscopic improvement was more favorable in the ETR group (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.45-2,45; p < 0.00001). A higher rate of endoscopic remission was found in the ETR group than in the placebo group (OR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.75-3.50; p < 0.00001); histological remission was significantly higher in the ETR group than in the placebo group (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.55-2.86; p < 0.00001). The placebo group had a lower rate of positive antidrug antibodies (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.79-2.17; p < 0.29), and the incidence of complications was significantly higher in the ETR group compared with the placebo group (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.48-2.83; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Given the heterogeneity and potential biases in the included studies, gastroenterologists should cautiously tailor drug delivery strategies based on their clinical experience and the unique needs of individual patients.