Tavneos Soon Will Be Available in UK as Add-on Therapy for Vasculitis

1-Year Mortality Rate in AAV Found Higher in Men Than in Women

Men with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) have a 1.54 times higher risk of dying within one year than female patients, a new study finds. According to authors, “this [finding] may provide a reliable predictor for clinicians to judge the prognosis and select active treatment for patients with AAV.” The report,…

How to Face Down the Precarious Cliff of Mental Health

I can feel the ominous darkness gathering. I dread it. Usually, I hold authority over my reactions to emotion. Though sadness and hopelessness aren’t controllable, I’ve developed the tools to mitigate their heaviness. They’re all too common with a vasculitis diagnosis. The ominous dread is my mental state,…

After $3.7B Deal, Amgen Will Own Rights to AAV Therapy Tavneos

After approximately $3.7 billion in acquisitions, Amgen will own the rights to Tavneos (avacopan), an approved oral therapy developed by ChemoCentryx to treat ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Amgen is acquiring ChemoCentryx in a cash deal, expected to be completed by year’s end, the companies announced. “The acquisition of ChemoCentryx represents a…

AAV-caused Kidney Involvement Is Linked to Immune Monocyte Cells

Similar to neutrophils, immune monocyte cells play an essential role in kidney damage caused by ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study discovered. The pro-inflammatory function of monocytes was stimulated by the immune signaling protein CSF2, also called GM-CSF. Therapeutically targeting monocytes or CSF2 may be a potential new treatment strategy…