Risk of infection for different B-cell targeting agents in treating systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review...

This study aimed to assess the risk of infections in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with various B-cell targeting agents.

We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of B-cell targeting agents for SLE as of March 1, 2025. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane and NIH tools. The main outcomes were total and serious infections. We performed traditional (TMA) and network meta-analyses (NMA). The risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) or credible intervals (CrIs) were calculated.

A total of 26 studies with 16,338 patients were included, involving 12 B-cell targeting agents. Overall, B-cell targeting therapy did not significantly increase the risk of infections. Nonetheless, obinutuzumab was associated with a greater risk of infections in patients with lupus nephritis compared to placebo (RR [95% CrI] = 1.18 [1.03, 1.37]) and rituximab (RR [95% CrI] = 1.25 [1.04, 1.53]). It was also associated with an elevated risk of infections in the combined population compared to placebo (RR [95% CrI] = 1.18 [1.03, 1.36]), rituximab (RR [95% CrI] = 1.22 [1.04, 1.43]), and epratuzumab (RR [95% CrI] = 1.24 [1.06, 1.45]). BAFF/APRIL-targeting agents showed a higher risk of infections than anti-CD22 agents (only epratuzumab) (RR [95% CrI] = 1.16 [1.01, 1.34]). Low-dose therapy also showed a notably increased risk compared to placebo (RR [95% CrI] = 1.05 [1.00, 1.10]). No significant increase in the risk of serious infections was found.

Specific B-cell targeting therapies may modestly increase the risk of total infections.