In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate if pretreatment with methylprednisolone would reduce infusion-related reactions associated with obinutuzumab use in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
This study concluded that premedication with methylprednisolone reduces infusion-related reactions in these patients.
Some background
Obinutuzumab (Gazyva) is a targeted therapy. It can be used for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Obinutuzumab application is associated with infusion-related reactions (IRRs) that may halt further use of the drug. IRRs are directly related to the administration of a drug.
Methylprednisolone (Medrol; MP) is a corticosteroid used to suppress the immune system and decrease inflammation. Previous studies have found that CLL patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) who receive corticosteroids do not develop IRRs from obinutuzumab treatment. AIHA is a rare red blood cell disorder and immune disorder.
It was unknown if pretreatment with MP would reduce IRRs associated with obinutuzumab use in all CLL patients.
Methods & findings
This study involved 28 patients with CLL who were previously untreated. 15 patients received prolonged corticosteroid premedication with MP before the first obinutuzumab treatment. 13 patients received standard premedication before the first obinutuzumab treatment.
The rate of IRRs was significantly lower (20%) in the group who received prolonged MP premedication compared to the standard premedication group (61.5%). 0% of the group who received prolonged MP premedication had severe obinutuzumab IRRs compared to 23.1% in the standard premedication group.
Prolonged MP premedication did not significantly affect the occurrence of infective complications.
The bottom line
This study concluded that premedication with MP reduced IRRs in patients with CLL treated with obinutuzumab.
The fine print
This study had a very small number of patients. Further larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Published By :
Leukemia & lymphoma
Date :
Dec 16, 2019
