News

More and Better Information Can Help in Managing AAV, Patients Say

People with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) want more disease-related information from their healthcare providers for better self-management, a study based on patient interviews reported. Patients said they needed better communication about symptoms, relapses, living with AAV, and mental health. This led researchers to call on healthcare professionals to…

Rare Disease Day Events Bring Awareness, Equity to Patients

Since 2008, Rare Disease Day — the last day of February — has brought together patients, caregivers, family members, friends, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness and improve equity for the more than 7,000 known rare diseases that affect more than 300 million people. In 2022, the…

Tavneos Plus Rituximab Safe and Effective in Real-world Use

Tavneos (avacopan), in combination with rituximab, leads to high remission rates without a need for standard glucocorticoids in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a small, real-life study in France. These findings add to results from previous clinical trials, further supporting Tavneos as an effective first-line approach…

AAV Immunosuppressants Can Increase Risk for COVID-19 Reinfection

A case of reinfection with COVID-19 has been reported in a patient who received immunosuppressive treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), which was linked to her first infection. Before her second infection, the 70-year-old African woman was given prednisolone and cyclophosphamide to combat AAV-associated kidney damage that had occurred after her…

CT Scan May Help Predict Prognosis of AAV With Lung Involvement

Classifying pulmonary manifestations in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) with lung symptoms can help predict disease outcomes and determine which patients should receive more intensive treatment, a study from China suggests. For example, patients showing bleeding into the lungs (alveolar hemorrhage) in their computed tomography (CT) scan of the…

Tavneos Approved in EU as Oral Add-on Treatment for MPA, GPA

The European Commission has approved Tavneos (avacopan) as an add-on therapy for adults with severe granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) — the two main types of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Following the expected launch this year, Tavneos will be the first available oral therapy for…