Pharmacological therapy of vasculitis: an update.
Systemic vasculitis represents a broad range of diseases characterized by the presence of blood vessel inflammation. Immunosuppressive therapy forms the foundation of treatment for almost all forms of systemic vasculitis. Newer agents such as mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab and tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors are finding new indications in the therapy of conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, skin vasculitis, cytoplasmic antineutrophil antibodies-positive vasculitis, sarcoidosis, ocular inflammation, nephritis, inflammatory bowel disease and Takayasu's arteritis. However, older agents such as methotrexate, cyclophosphamide and interferon-alpha are still being explored for newer, more effective and less toxic indications in conditions such as giant cell arteritis and cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa.
Uthman
Imad
I
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Medical Centre, PO Box 113-6044, Hamra 1103 2090, Beirut, Lebanon. iuthman@aub.edu.lb
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000145:classification* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents