News

The most common types of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) show distinctive activity patterns of type I interferons (IFN-I), a group of immune signaling molecules, suggesting a possible route for individualized monitoring and treatment strategies, a study reports. People with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and associated kidney disease had more IFN-I…

An increase in blood levels of a self-reactive antibody called MPO-ANCA predicted the return of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) symptoms within months in most patients in a Belgian study. None of the patients whose MPO-ANCA levels decreased and remained undetectable in blood experienced relapses, data showed. “Monitoring MPO-ANCA levels in…

A reduced dose of obinutuzumab, an immunosuppressant approved for certain blood cancers, safely helped most adults with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) achieve sustained disease remission, while reducing their need for standard glucocorticoids. That’s according to a single-center study in China involving 12 adults with hard-to-treat AAV and four adults with…

About half of the patients who began dialysis due to kidney disease from ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) could stop it within a year, with outcomes improving further in those treated with plasma exchange, a procedure that removes harmful antibodies from the blood, according to a study. “The need for dialysis…

A combination of rituximab (sold as Rituxan and biosimilars) and low-dose glucocorticoids may safely stabilize interstitial lung disease (ILD) related to ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a small proof-of-concept study by researchers in Italy. After a year of this therapeutic regimen, the study’s participants saw a significant reduction…

People with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) are at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, particularly bladder, blood, kidney, and skin cancers, according to a meta-analysis of published studies. Men with AAV had a significantly elevated risk — 2.1 times higher — while no such increase was observed in…

Tavneos (avacopan) plus a short course of glucocorticoids is as effective as glucocorticoids alone for treating rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), a severe kidney disease, in adults with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study reports. “At month 6, patients receiving [Tavneos] and transient or low doses of GCs [glucocorticoids] have…

Four proteins in the kidneys likely contribute to the development of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), and may be used as diagnostic markers and targets of potential therapies, a study found. The proteins — PDK4, PPARGC1A, FN1, and PSMB10 — are “novel biomarkers that may refine our understanding and management of AAV,”…

A greater disease burden and poorer physical quality of life were found for people with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) who test positive for self-reactive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) against the myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein compared with EGPA patients who don’t have such autoantibodies. Those are the findings of a new…

Treatment with Tavneos (avacopan) appeared to more effectively suppress organ damage — while also significantly lowering glucocorticoid dosages and associated adverse events — in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a real-world study in Japan. The study looked at the safety and effectiveness of glucocorticoids plus rituximab…