Abstract
A recent meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials reported by Bongartz and coworkers raised concerns about an increased rate of malignancy and serious infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor monoclonal antibodies. This commentary discusses some of the methodological issues in their analysis and urges caution in interpreting the results.
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / epidemiology*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid / therapy*
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Humans
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Infections / epidemiology*
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Meta-Analysis as Topic
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Neoplasms / epidemiology*
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Risk Factors
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha