Basiliximab application on liver recipients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: The benefits of the application of basiliximab induction therapy in liver transplantation are not clear. The present meta-analysis was to evaluate the pros and cons of basiliximab use in liver transplantation. DATA SOURCES: We searched the associated publications in English from July 1998 to December 2015 in the following databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: Basiliximab significantly decreased the incidence of de novo diabetes mellitus after liver transplantation (RR=0.56; 95% CI: 0.34-0.91; P=0.02). Subgroup analysis showed that basiliximab in combination with steroids-free immunosuppressant significantly decreased the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection (RR=0.62; 95% CI: 0.39-0.97; P=0.04) and new-onset hypertension (RR=0.62; 95% CI: 0.42-0.93; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Basiliximab may be effective in reducing de novo diabetes mellitus. What is more, basiliximab in combination with steroids-free immunosuppressant shows statistical benefit to reduce biopsy-proven acute rejection and de novo hypertension.