A higher ratio of disease-inducing neutrophils to lymphocytes at diagnosis may help predict severe infections and mortality in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) taking immunosuppression therapy, a study suggests. The study, “The…
Immune Cell Ratio Can Help Identify Patients at High Risk of Infection
This week, my eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) decided to remind me that it had not gone away and was ever-present. I could feel my symptoms becoming more problematic. I tried to ignore them. The peripheral neuropathy in my feet became more noticeable and interrupted my sleep. My asthma…
Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a…
InflaRx has completed enrollment in its Phase 2 trial evaluating vilobelimab (IFX-1) for people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in Europe. “We are pleased to have met our enrollment goal in the vilobelimab European phase II trial in AAV,” Korinna Pilz, MD, global head of…
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” These words are on a plaque that hangs from my medicine shelf. I see them every day as I take my morning and evening medication. They serve as a reminder that I can continue to…
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is seeking individuals willing to share real-life experiences with rare diseases to speak at its upcoming virtual Living Rare, Living Stronger NORD Patient and Family Forum. The interactive, patient-focused forum will be held online June 26-27. The deadline to apply for…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Amgen‘s Riabni (rituximab-arrx), a biosimilar to Rituxan (rituximab), to treat adults with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), the two most common subtypes of ANCA-associated vasculitis. The FDA also approved Riabni to treat two blood cancers,…
When someone we know is sick, we tend to tell them to “get well soon.” These words seem polite and social. We say them to anyone who is sick. It has always seemed like the correct phrase to use. But why do those three polite, socially acceptable words feel like…
Patient dosing has begun in a Phase 3 clinical trial investigating the asthma treatment Fasenra (benralizumab) in people with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a subtype of ANCA-associated vasculitis. AstraZeneca, which markets Fasenra, also announced the start of dosing in two other Phase 3 trials: one in…
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The Light at the End of 2020
Here it is, the end of 2020, and what a year it has been. After so many dark and worrisome days in this pandemic, it is quite a relief to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I am overjoyed that COVID-19 vaccinations have begun in the…
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