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The role of biologics in treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Modern Rheumatology

Abstract

The vast majority of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) who receive conventional treatment with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide experience frequent relapses and treatment-related side-effects. Increasing knowledge of the pathogenesis of AAV has permitted the development of targeted therapies against tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and T and B lymphocytes. Therapy with TNF-α blocking drugs has so far proved disappointing, and this approach is not recommended. B cell depletion using rituximab is effective for remission induction, especially in refractory patients. The long-term side-effects and the best method of using rituximab to maintain remission are still to be determined.

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Conflict of interest

R.A.W. has been a consultant to Euro Nippon Kayaku GmbH, Frankfurt/M, Germany, and to Roche Pharmaceuticals. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, Heath Road, Ipswich, IP4 5PD, UK

    Chethana Dharmapalaiah & Richard A. Watts

  2. Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

    Richard A. Watts

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  1. Chethana Dharmapalaiah
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  2. Richard A. Watts
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Correspondence to Richard A. Watts.

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Dharmapalaiah, C., Watts, R.A. The role of biologics in treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Mod Rheumatol 22, 319–326 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10165-011-0548-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10165-011-0548-y

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