TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of IL-6 signaling pathway inhibition on weight and BMI
T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Patsalos, Olivia
AU - Dalton, Bethan
AU - Himmerich, Hubertus
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Inhibitors of the IL-6 signaling pathway, such as tocilizumab, are frequently administered for the treatment of immune diseases, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis and multicentric Castleman’s disease. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to ascertain the effects of IL-6 pathway inhibitors on weight and body mass index (BMI). Using PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed relevant articles from three databases (PubMed, OVID, EMBASE). A random effects model was used to estimate standardized mean change (SMCC). Ten studies with a total of 1531 patients were included in the meta-analysis for weight and ten studies with a total of 1537 patients were included in the BMI meta-analysis. The most commonly administered IL-6 pathway inhibitor was tocilizumab. IL-6 pathway inhibitors were associated with increases in weight (SMCC = 0.09, p = 0.016, 95% CI [0.03, 0.14]) and BMI (SMCC = 0.10, p = 0.0001, 95% CI [0.05, 0.15]). These findings suggest that the IL-6 pathway is involved in weight regulation. Modulating IL-6 signaling may be a potential future therapeutic avenue used as an adjunct for the treatment of disorders associated with weight changes, such as cancer cachexia and anorexia nervosa.
AB - Inhibitors of the IL-6 signaling pathway, such as tocilizumab, are frequently administered for the treatment of immune diseases, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis and multicentric Castleman’s disease. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to ascertain the effects of IL-6 pathway inhibitors on weight and body mass index (BMI). Using PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed relevant articles from three databases (PubMed, OVID, EMBASE). A random effects model was used to estimate standardized mean change (SMCC). Ten studies with a total of 1531 patients were included in the meta-analysis for weight and ten studies with a total of 1537 patients were included in the BMI meta-analysis. The most commonly administered IL-6 pathway inhibitor was tocilizumab. IL-6 pathway inhibitors were associated with increases in weight (SMCC = 0.09, p = 0.016, 95% CI [0.03, 0.14]) and BMI (SMCC = 0.10, p = 0.0001, 95% CI [0.05, 0.15]). These findings suggest that the IL-6 pathway is involved in weight regulation. Modulating IL-6 signaling may be a potential future therapeutic avenue used as an adjunct for the treatment of disorders associated with weight changes, such as cancer cachexia and anorexia nervosa.
KW - BMI
KW - IL-6
KW - Obesity
KW - Rheumatoid arthritis
KW - Siltuximab
KW - Spondyloarthritis
KW - Tocilizumab
KW - Weight
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85090182576&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ijms21176290
DO - 10.3390/ijms21176290
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32878032
AN - SCOPUS:85090182576
SN - 1661-6596
VL - 21
SP - 1
EP - 13
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
IS - 17
M1 - 6290
ER -
