Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

A first course of rituximab is sufficient to trigger the development of anti-rituximab antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but not in those with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study found. The researchers had thought that rituximab might have similar effects in patients with SLE and AAV…

Inflammatory vaginitis — inflammation of the vagina — may develop in women receiving long-term treatment with rituximab for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) or other autoimmune diseases, a U.S. study says. The findings suggest that “women treated with rituximab should be screened for symptoms such as vaginal discharge and vaginal pain,” its…

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is well-tolerated and can be used to induce remission in people with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a type of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a real-world study shows. Two-thirds of patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing EGPA achieved remission, or had no symptoms appearing for a time,…

Rituximab is safe and effective for inducing remission in two types of ANCA-associated vasculitis in children and adolescents: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), according to data from a Phase 2a trial. After one and a half years on the trial, all patients achieved remission, and safety…

A blood parameter called large unstained cell count or LUC – which measures the numbers of certain activated immune cells – appears to associate with higher ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) disease activity, a small study found. These results, when combined with the findings of previous, larger-scale studies, show that “LUC…

About one-third of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) or other forms of vasculitis postponed at least one of their healthcare visits during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but most continued adhering to treatment, a survey reveals. Moreover, patients with vasculitis are complying with advice to stay at…