ANCA vasculitis: time for a change in treatment paradigm? Not yet.

Abstract	The ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAVs) are conventionally treated with a strategy of remission induction followed by maintenance therapy using glucocorticoids combined with CYC during induction and AZA for maintenance. Recently, several randomized controlled trials have been published that question whether these drugs should remain those of choice. B-cell depletion using rituximab is at least as effective as CYC for remission induction in newly presenting patients, but long-term efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness data are awaited, and thus rituximab should be reserved for patients at high risk of infertility. Rituximab seems to be effective at inducing remission in relapsing patients. Whether routine pre-emptive treatment with rituximab for remission maintenance is a better approach than waiting for relapse is unknown. MTX and LEF have similar efficacy to AZA, but are not significantly safer; while MMF is less effective. Thus, AZA remains the conventional maintenance drug of choice.
Authors	Eleana Ntatsaki, Janice Mooney, Richard A Watts
Journal	Rheumatology (Oxford, England) (Rheumatology (Oxford)) Vol. 50 Issue 6 Pg. 1019-24 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 1462-0332 [Electronic] England
PMID	21292735 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
Chemical References	Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived Antineoplastic Agents Glucocorticoids Immunosuppressive Agents Semustine Rituximab Mitomycin Cyclophosphamide Azathioprine Fluorouracil
Topics	Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis (diagnosis, drug therapy, immunology) Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived (therapeutic use) Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use) Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols Azathioprine (therapeutic use) Cyclophosphamide Drug Therapy, Combination Female Fluorouracil Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use) Humans Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use) Male Mitomycin Prognosis Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic Remission Induction Risk Assessment Rituximab Semustine Severity of Illness Index Treatment Outcome

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