Worse disease burden found for EGPA patients with MPO-ANCAs

Worse disease burden found for EGPA patients with MPO-ANCAs

A greater disease burden and poorer physical quality of life were found for people with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) who test positive for self-reactive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) against the myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein compared with EGPA patients who don’t have such autoantibodies. Those are the findings of a new…

Discovering how to move forward, even with limited energy

“Energy is your capacity to keep moving forward.” — author, entrepreneur, and speaker Suneel Gupta For those of us living with a rare disease like ANCA vasculitis, this quote may resonate deeply. Energy, for us, is limited. It’s precious, often fleeting, and sometimes unpredictable. Yet the way we choose…

Early use of Tavneos in AAV may prevent irreversible organ damage

Treatment with Tavneos (avacopan) appeared to more effectively suppress organ damage — while also significantly lowering glucocorticoid dosages and associated adverse events — in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a real-world study in Japan. The study looked at the safety and effectiveness of glucocorticoids plus rituximab…

A medical second opinion can greatly benefit those with vasculitis

When people ask about your bucket list, you probably think about travel, adventure, or experiences you’ve always wanted to have. But here’s something you might not have considered adding to the list: getting a medical second opinion, especially if you’re living with a rare disease. I’ve found it incredibly helpful.

Early results from trial testing NKX019 for AAV expected soon

Preliminary data from a Phase 1 clinical trial testing NKX019, Nkarta’s cell therapy candidate for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and other autoimmune conditions, are expected in the second half of this year. That’s according to a mid-year update from the biotechnology company, which is developing the natural killer (NK) cell…

Lower glucocorticoid dose effective for AAV with kidney issues: Study

A low-dose course of glucocorticoid therapy results in similar outcomes as a higher-dose option in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and kidney involvement, though it may lower risk of serious infection, a study reports. “Our findings reinforce the safety and efficacy of reduced [glucocorticoid] as the initial [glucocorticoid] regimen…

Allowing a full range of emotions might help our healing

Warning: If you’re someone who avoids anger like the plague, you may want to sit down for this one. But stay with me — because research suggests that allowing yourself to feel anger might actually support your happiness. I know this advice might sound strange coming from someone who…

AAV patients on BDB-001 achieve remission, cut corticosteroid use

Use of the experimental therapy BDB-001 helps adults with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) achieve at least partial disease remission, while reducing the need for standard glucocorticoids. That’s according to new data from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial conducted in China. Glucocorticoids, also commonly called corticosteroids, are a standard AAV…

Combined diagnostic criteria help classify AAV types in children

Combining two diagnostic systems used to classify cases of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in adults improved classification performance in a pediatric AAV patient population, according to a study in China. Identifying types of AAV is important to ensure effective clinical care in children, researchers noted. “Considering that distinct clinical…