Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

AAV patients on BDB-001 achieve remission, cut corticosteroid use

Use of the experimental therapy BDB-001 helps adults with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) achieve at least partial disease remission, while reducing the need for standard glucocorticoids. That’s according to new data from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial conducted in China. Glucocorticoids, also commonly called corticosteroids, are a standard AAV…

Less invasive test may help monitor kidney inflammation in AAV

Measuring circulating microRNAs — short RNA molecules that ultimately suppress gene activity — could offer doctors a less invasive way to monitor glomerulonephritis, a type of kidney inflammation, in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study found. However, the study included a small number of patients, and testing microRNAs, or miRNAs,…

Certain immunosuppressants linked to better survival after brain bleeds

Treatment with the immunosuppressants cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, or rituximab after ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients have experienced a brain bleed, or intracranial hemorrhage, is linked to better survival, according to a review of previously reported cases. “In our pooled analysis, we found that initiating [immunosuppressant] treatment after [brain bleeds] … was…

New deal aims to develop, market povetacicept for AAV in Asia

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has signed a license agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical to develop and market povetacicept — a B-cell-targeting candidate for treating ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and other autoimmune diseases driven by self-reactive antibodies and marked by signs or symptoms of kidney involvement — in Japan and South Korea.

New AAV treament guidelines in UK recommend rituximab use

Updated treatment guidelines from the British Society for Rheumatology favor rituximab over cyclophosphamide for active, relapsing ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), and set a standard maintenance treatment period of about 2-4 years after the disease has entered remission, or is determined to be well controlled. These recommendations are part of…

Permanent organ damage common in ANCA-associated vasculitis

Treatments for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) have improved over time, but many patients still develop permanent organ damage, even though the extent of it has been less severe in recent years, a study in Turkey suggests. Mortality rates have remained largely similar over the years, with death more likely among…

Immunosuppressives aid survival in late ANCA-associated vasculitis

People diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) at age 75 or older may show more inflammation, higher rates of kidney involvement, or higher mortality than younger-onset patients based on their AAV type, a study in Japan finds. But immunosuppressive treatment plus standard corticosteroids appears to be more effective than corticosteroids…

Cardiac MRI can detect ANCA-associated vasculitis heart damage

An imaging test that can make detailed pictures of the heart can detect scar tissue buildup in the heart muscle of adults with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), even if they’re not having disease symptoms, a review study shows. “Incorporating cMRI [cardiac MRI] into routine evaluations could improve the detection and…