News

Many ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients with skin lesions test negative for ANCA antibodies — proteins produced by the immune system that bind to white blood cells called neutrophils, ultimately triggering an autoimmune reaction. As a result, researchers contend that ANCA testing should not be used as the only criteria…

Tavneos (avacopan) reduced respiratory, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) involvement among people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), but did not significantly outperform prednisone in its ability to do so, according to a substudy of the larger Phase 3 ADVOCATE trial. The treatment also significantly lowered patients’ reliance on glucocorticoid…

People with a past history of autoimmune disease before developing ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) have significantly fewer relapses after achieving remission, a study reported. Post-remission chances of a relapse were 67% lower in these AAV patients and took longer to occur, findings showed. Its researchers argued that these results support a…

Rituximab treatment led to rates of remission and relapse prevention in Mexican patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) that were similar to those previously observed in other patient populations, a real-world study found. It was also associated with a higher rate of infections, the study found. Overall, about 65% of…

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who also have ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) are more likely to develop signs of kidney impairment than those without AAV, a small study showed. Among patients with both disorders, AAV was usually diagnosed after RA, and often was asymptomatic, highlighting that an early RA diagnosis…

A biopsy of heart muscle may aid in the diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) with cardiac involvement in patients negative for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) and with a negative skin biopsy, a case study suggests. The study, “Endomyocardial biopsy facilitates diagnosis of…

A Russian military plane crash near Tetiana Zamorska’s home in Kyiv, Ukraine, was a sign that it was time for her and her family to leave. The treacherous, 34-hour pilgrimage that ultimately brought the group of eight by car to temporary accommodations in neighboring Poland last month was physically and emotionally difficult,…

From honoring healthcare professionals and scientists to spotlighting “patient heroes,” activities are underway for this year’s Vasculitis Awareness Month, dubbed #VAM2022. VAM is observed each May to bring attention to the rare autoimmune disorder and all its forms, as well as the people it affects. International Vasculitis Day is also…

Levels of five small RNA molecules were found to be highly elevated in extracellular vesicles — small packets of cellular cargo — found in the urine of people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a new study reports. These preliminary findings indicate the impairment of these RNA molecules might be linked…

Health Canada has approved the oral medicine Tavneos (avacopan) as an add-on therapy to treat adults with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). The approval specifically covers the use of Tavneos to treat granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), the two main types of AAV, in combination with…