Efficacy and safety of onasemnogene abeparvovec for the treatment of patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 1: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Onasemnogene abeparvovec has been approved for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy 5q type 1 in several countries, which calls for an independent assessment of the evidence regarding efficacy and safety. Objective Conduct a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of onasemnogene abeparvovec in patients diagnosed with SMA type 1, based on the available evidence. Methods This article results from searches conducted on databases up to November 2022. Outcomes of interest were global survival and event-free survival, improvement in motor function and treatment-related adverse events. Risk of bias assessment and certainty of evidence were performed for each outcome. Proportional meta-analysis models were performed when applicable. Results Four reports of three open-label, non-comparative clinical trials covering 67 patients were included. Meta-analyses of data available in a 12-month follow-up estimate a global survival of 97.56% (95%CI: 92.55 to 99.86, I2 = 0%, n = 67), an event-free survival of 96.5% (95%CI: 90.76 to 99.54, I2 = 32%, n = 66) and a CHOP-INTEND score 40 points proportion of 87.28% (95%CI: 69.81 to 97.83, I2 = 69%, n = 67). Proportion of 52.64% (95%CI: 27.11 to 77.45, I2 = 78%, n = 67) of treatment-related adverse events was estimated. Conclusion The results indicate a potential change in the natural history of type 1 SMA, but the methodological limitations of the studies make the real extent of the technology’s long-term benefits uncertain.