News

New statistical model predicts AAV prognosis with good accuracy

A new statistical model that considers age, disease type, patterns of organ involvement, and lab findings may help predict long-term survival in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) better than available prognostic systems, a study suggests. The study “Development and internal validation of a model to predict long-term survival of ANCA…

Ear, nose, throat symptom relapses common in AAV, despite treatment

Despite high response rates to treatment strategies to reduce ear, nose, and throat involvement in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), relapses are common, a review study reports. The study, “Systemic and Local Medical or Surgical Therapies for Ear, Nose and/or Throat Manifestations in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A Systematic Literature Review,” was…

AAV may emerge in rare cases after COVID-19 vaccination: Study

Among the 56 reported cases of new or relapsed ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, more than three-quarters achieved remission with prompt treatment, according to a recent review study. SARS-COV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. AAV after vaccination may be related to several different mechanisms, including inflammation,…

New ANCA cut-off value may aid accuracy of AAV diagnosis

Researchers have proposed a new cut-off value for blood levels of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) to improve the accuracy of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) diagnosis. Using this cut-off value, researchers could accurately distinguish AAV from other diseases also characterized by inflammation and damage to small blood vessels. “This study provides a…

Proof-of-concept efgartigimod trial for AAV expected this year

Argenx is planning to launch a proof-of-concept clinical trial later this year to test its therapy efgartigimod, approved to treat another autoimmune disease, in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Data from proof-of-concept studies can help companies and their researchers decide whether to develop a medicine for a specific…

Daratumumab helps to send severe, hard-to-treat GPA into remission

Daratumumab helped in the remission of severe lung and skin symptoms in a young man with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a type of ANCA–associated vasculitis (AAV), scientists in Germany report. An immunotherapy approved to treat multiple myeloma (sold as Darzalex), daratumumab was added after the patient failed to respond…