News

A gene variant linked to increased production of proteinase-3 (PR3) — one of the targets of disease-causing antibodies in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) — is more common among patients with anti-PR3 antibodies than those with antibodies against the myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein, a study showed. The higher blood PR3 levels with this…

Higher blood levels of soluble interleukin 7 receptor subunit alpha (sIL-7R alpha) — a portion of a receptor protein involved in inflammation — significantly associate with lower disease activity in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a small study found. These preliminary findings suggest that the soluble receptor protein “can…

Immune T-cells positive for the GPR56 receptor protein — a marker for cell-killing immune cells — may contribute to local tissue damage in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients whose disease is associated with antibodies against the proteinase 3 (PR3) protein, a study showed. Notably, these cells were more likely to…

Cardiovascular events like a heart attack are more likely in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) who also have diabetes, a study reported. Other identified risk factors for AAV patients, a group known to be at cardiovascular disease risk, included older age and a prior history of cardiovascular problems. “Treatment…

Tavneos (avacopan) effectively reverses severe kidney disease associated with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) compared with standard steroid therapy, according to a subgroup analysis of the Phase 3 ADVOCATE clinical trial. Greater improvements in kidney function with Tavneos were sustained for the two months of follow-up after the treatment stopped.

Tavneos (avacopan) has been approved in Australia as an add-on oral therapy for adults with two main types of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV): microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA). The approval from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration specifically covers the use of Tavneos in combination with rituximab or…

Rates of relapse, and mortality, are higher in people with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract — and periods of remission less likely — relative to EGPA patients without GI involvement, according to a study in China. Those with GI involvement also presented with…

Preventive, or prophylactic treatment with certain antibiotics can reduce the risk of severe infections for people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) who are receiving immunosuppressive treatment, a new analysis shows. Specifically, good results were found in a clinical trial with a combination of antibiotics known as TMP/SMX. “This … is…

A combination of rituximab, prednisone, and tacrolimus effectively treated a recurrence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) after a kidney transplant, a case study reported. The case highlights the importance of closely monitoring AAV patients on immunosuppressive therapy with belatacept, particularly when a kidney injury follows a kidney…

Measuring the number of immune T-cells in urine could be used to help identify kidney damage in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a new study suggests. These urinary T-cells also may aid in predicting treatment responses and the risk of future disease relapse. “Their promising potential as noninvasive…