AIMS

To assess the relative efficacy and tolerability of tanezumab (2.5, 5, and 10 mg) in osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 3,813 patients and examining the efficacy and tolerability of tanezumab (2.5, 5, 10 mg), naproxen (1,000 mg), and placebo, based on the number of withdrawals among osteoarthritis patients, were included in this Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis, which combined direct and indirect evidence.

RESULTS

Tanezumab (5, 2.5, 10 mg) and 1,000 mg naproxen were more efficacious than placebo (odds ratio (OR): 0.34, 95% credible interval (CrI): 0.26 - 0.43; OR: 0.35, 95% CrI: 0.24 - 0.48; OR: 0.364, 95% CrI: 0.28 - 0.45; and OR: 0.44, 95% CrI: 0.32 - 0.61, respectively). The number of withdrawals due to lack of efficacy were lower in the tanezumab groups than in the naproxen group, and the difference was not significant. Ranking probability based on the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicated that 5 mg tanezumab had the highest probability of being the best treatment based on the number of withdrawals due to lack of efficacy, followed by 2.5 mg tanezumab, 10 mg tanezumab, 1,000 mg naproxen, and placebo. Ranking probability based on SUCRA indicated that 2.5 mg tanezumab and placebo had the highest probability of being the most tolerable treatment, followed by 5 mg tanezumab, 1,000 mg naproxen, and 10 mg tanezumab.

CONCLUSION

Tanezumab (5 mg) had the highest probability of being the best treatment based on the number of withdrawals due to lack of efficacy among the medications, while 2.5 mg tanezumab and placebo had the highest probability of being the most tolerable treatment.