Monoclonal antibody therapy for Kawasaki disease: a protocol for systematic reviews and meta-analysis

Monoclonal antibody and anti-cytokine biologics for Kawasaki disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a form of self-limiting vasculitis that causes coronary artery abnormalities in children. Although clinical trials of monoclonal antibodies and anti-cytokine biologics that block cytokine cascades have been conducted, the studies have revealed contradictory results. To examine the effectiveness of treatment with monoclonal antibodies and anti-cytokine biologics for KD patients, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (e.g., cohort studies, case-control studies, case-series, and case-reports) were included to summarize available evidence, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ICUSHI were used for systematic research. Meta-analysis of the included studies was conducted using fixed-effect or random-effects models, depending on the degree of between-study heterogeneity. We assessed coronary artery and treatment outcomes of the interventions. The certainty of evidence and risk of bias were assessed using the GRADE and Cochrane risk of bias tool. The protocol of this review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016033079).

RESULTS

Results: Of all searched studies, 183 studies were qualitatively analyzed. We finally included four randomized controlled trials with 456 patients in quantitative syntheses. Monoclonal antibodies and anti-cytokine biologics did not reduce the frequency of CAA (risk ratio [RR], 0.93; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.65 to 1.32, low certainty of evidence), compared with the conventional treatment with IVIG. However, the frequency of treatment resistance (RR, 0.60; 95%CI, 0.38 to 0.95, moderate certainty of evidence) was reduced by the antibodies. We found no statistical differences in either "any adverse event" (RR, 0.92; 95%CI, 0.80 to 1.06, low certainty of evidence) or "adverse events attributable to the administration of the medication" (RR, 1.10; 95%CI, 0.72 to 1.69, low certainty of evidence) between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Although monoclonal antibodies and anti-cytokine biologics were not effective in reducing the frequency of CAA in KD patients, the frequency of treatment resistance might be reduced by those agents compared with conventional IVIG therapy alone.

Oxidised Low-Density Lipoprotein and Its Receptor-Mediated Endothelial Dysfunction Are Associated with Coronary Artery Lesions in Kawasaki Disease

The study aimed to investigate the role of oxidised low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)/lectin-like-oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) in coronary artery lesions (CALs) in Kawasaki disease (KD) and of plasma oxLDL concentration in the early prediction of CALs in KD. This prospective study included 80 KD patients, 20 febrile and 20 healthy children. oxLDL, LOX-1 and other parameters were analysed in the acute phase. Plasma oxLDL concentration and LOX-1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were significantly increased in KD patients compared with febrile and healthy children (P < 0.001 and P = 0.022, respectively), particularly in the group with CALs (P < 0.001 and P = 0.027, respectively). Coronary Z-score was significantly correlated with plasma oxLDL concentration and LOX-1 mRNA expression (r = 0.739 and 0.637, respectively; P < 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of predicting CALs were 71.4% and 77.2%, respectively, at plasma oxLDL concentration ≥ 12.38 mU/L. oxLDL/LOX-1 may be involved in CAL development. The plasma oxLDL concentration in the acute phase is a potentially useful biological indicator for predicting CAL in KD patients.

Kawasaki disease: guidelines of Italian Society of Pediatrics, part II - treatment of resistant forms and cardiovascular complications, follow-up, lifestyle and prevention of cardiovascular risks

This second part of practical Guidelines related to Kawasaki disease (KD) has the goal of contributing to prompt diagnosis and most appropriate treatment of KD resistant forms and cardiovascular complications, including non-pharmacologic treatments, follow-up, lifestyle and prevention of cardiovascular risks in the long-term through a set of 17 recommendations.Guidelines, however, should not be considered a norm that limits the treatment options of pediatricians and practitioners, as treatment modalities other than those recommended may be required as a result of peculiar medical circumstances, patient's condition, and disease severity or individual complications.