Safety of rapid rituximab infusion in adult cancer patients: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to critically appraise, synthesize and present the best available evidence related to the safety of rapid rituximab infusion in adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients. Data are from published and unpublished studies from electronic databases, grey literature and reference lists. The studies that met the inclusion criteria were critically appraised by two independent reviewers for methodological validity using standardized critical appraisal instruments. Proportional meta-analysis based on DerSimonian-Laird weights using a random effects model was used for statistical pooling through Stats Direct. Heterogeneity is assessed using Cochran Q. When statistical pooling is not possible, the findings were presented in narrative summary. Rapid rituximab infusion is safe for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients at a 90 min regimen. However, there is insufficient evidence to support rapid rituximab infusions for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients.