Effect of rituximab on primary central nervous system lymphoma: a meta-analysis

The effect of rituximab on primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is controversial. We performed this meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of treatment with or without rituximab for PCNSL. We first conducted a search for qualified studies using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science. The meta-analysis was conducted to compare odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for complete remission (CR) rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) using Review Manager 5.0. We included two randomized clinical trials and six retrospective studies in this meta-analysis. The results of our statistical analysis show that the use of rituximab was closely correlated with a higher CR (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.17–2.46, P = 0.005), 2-year PFS (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.08–4.11, P = 0.03), 5-year PFS (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.64–3.93, P < 0.0001), 2-year OS (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.73–3.34, P < 0.00001), and 5-year OS (OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.02–4.08, P < 0.00001). These results may help to inform therapeutic strategies including the use of rituximab and to improve therapeutic planning for PCNSL patients.