Prolonged treatment with low-dose intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide may reduce rate of relapse in ANCA-associated vasculitis.
BACKGROUND
Cyclophosphamide has transformed the outcome of ANCA-associated vasculitis, but it is highly toxic. Recent studies have suggested that pulsed intravenous cyclophosphamide (pCyc) is an effective alternative with less complications, but may lead to an increased rate of relapse. However, these studies used relatively short courses of treatment with cyclophosphamide. In this study we used a prolonged course of low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide for 18-24 months for ANCA-associated vasculitis, evaluated the effectiveness of pCyc and analysed the outcome of a prolonged treatment on the rate of relapse.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of all the patients treated with pCyc from 1995 to 2002 was performed.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven patients were followed for an average of 38 months. Thirty-four of 37 patients (91.9%) achieved complete remission at 3 months. Eight (21%) episodes of relapse occurred in 7 patients. The cyclophosphamide was well tolerated with a low rate of infections (18.9%) and 1 death (2.7%) due to sepsis whilst on cyclophosphamide.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, pCyc was effective in achieving rapid remission and had a low complication rate. If prolonged, this treatment may reduce the rate of relapse.
Renal Unit, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK. adhaygude@yahoo.com
Ajay
A
Dhaygude
Megan
M
Griffith
Thomas
T
Cairns
Adam
A
McLean
Andrew
A
Palmer
David
D
Taube
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D008775:Methylprednisolone