ANCA antibodies against both PR3, MPO result in hybrid AAV features

ANCA antibodies against both PR3, MPO result in hybrid AAV features

People with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) who are positive for antibodies against both myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3) show a combination of clinical characteristics from patients with each antibody type, according to a recent study in China. While double-positive patients are generally more similar to those with MPO-ANCAs, particularly…

My wife has EGPA; I have EGPA by proxy

This is Pam Squires’ story: Pam Squires says her life with her wife, Sarah Jones, who has eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), is like having EGPA by proxy. (Courtesy of Sarah Jones) My wife, Sarah, and I attended a support group a while back and one of the care…

Living with EGPA disease is one big game of whack-a-mole

Sarah Jones smiles for the camera. (Photos courtesy of Sarah Jones) This is Sarah Jones’ story: I thought on the day of my EGPA diagnosis — fully, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis — that I was finally going to get on top of it and move on. Nothing could…

Argenx to stop clinical development of efgartigimod for AAV

Argenx has decided not to go ahead with its development plans for efgartigimod as a potential treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) after the therapy failed to show beneficial effects in late-stage clinical trials of two other autoimmune diseases. Efgartigimod is approved in the U.S. in two formulations for…

Struggling with fantasy vs. reality as an ANCA vasculitis parent

Karna Karlsrud, left, poses for a photo with her daughter, Clea, who has vasculitis. (Photos courtesy of Karna Karlsrud) This is Karna Karlsrud’s story: When I adopted my beautiful daughter, Clea, 23 years ago, the social worker told me in many conversations that fantasy is worse than reality, so…

Navigating life on the up-and-down journey that’s vasculitis

Kathy Olevsky prepares to record a Vasculitis Foundation medical webinar in her office. (Photos courtesy of Kathy Olevsky) This is Kathy Olevsky’s story: In late 2008, I was diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis or MPA. It plunged me into a 21-day hospital stay, including time in intensive care, filled…

Rituximab cuts recurrence risk in subglottic stenosis surgery: Study

Rituximab is superior to other immunosuppressive treatments at preventing post-surgery relapse in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) patients undergoing surgery to address subglottic stenosis, a common complication that causes airway narrowing. That’s according to a study that analyzed data from 25 GPA patients who were followed for more than…

Making the most of life, even after the plot twist of vasculitis

Ioana Miclea has eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. (Photos courtesy of Ioana Miclea) This is Ioana Miclea’s story. So, picture this: I’m Ioana, your quintessential 20-something girl, living it up with nights out, camping escapades, and a newfound love for festivals. And I’m jamming out to some meme song I…

Amgen readies for Phase 3 study of Tavneos in children with AAV

Amgen is planning to launch a Phase 3 clinical trial testing Tavneos (avacopan) — its approved therapy for adults with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) — in combination with a standard regimen of rituximab or cyclophosphamide in children and adolescents with active AAV. That’s according to a company press release…