The Efficacy and Safety of Teprotumumab in Thyroid Eye Disease: Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials

In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of teprotumumab in treating thyroid eye disease. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases from inception to May 25, 2022, and included all randomized controlled trials. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using fixed- or random-effect models. A total of three studies involving 341 patients were identified. Overall, the analysis revealed that teprotumumab demonstrated superior integrated proptosis response compared to placebo in both the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (OR = 17.81, 95% CI = [10.32, 30.76], I² = 50%) and per-protocol population (OR = 24.53, 95% CI = [12.96, 46.45], I² = 14%). Furthermore, patients receiving teprotumumab showed significant improvement in overall response (OR = 8.35, 95% CI = [4.74, 14.71], I² = 79%), diplopia response (OR = 5.53, 95% CI = [3.24, 9.44], I² = 0%), and achieving a clinical activity score (CAS) of 0 or 1 (OR = 6.26, 95% CI = [3.87, 10.12], I² = 0%). Moreover, patients treated with teprotumumab experienced greater improvements in proptosis (MD = -2.49, 95% CI = [-2.54, -2.45], I² = 98%) and Graves' ophthalmopathy-specific quality of life (GO-QOL, MD = 11.48, 95% CI = [11.03, 11.93], I² = 95%). However, it is important to note that patients receiving teprotumumab had a higher risk of adverse events, including serious adverse events, gastrointestinal adverse reactions, and muscle spasms. In summary, teprotumumab demonstrated greater improvement in proptosis response, proptosis, diplopia response, overall response, GO-QOL, and CAS. Nonetheless, it should be considered that its use is associated with a higher risk of adverse events.