title: Advances in the treatment of small vessel vasculitis.
abstract: The systemic small vessel vasculitides encompass Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, and Churg-Strauss syndrome. The traditional approach to therapy, which incorporates cytotoxic drugs and glucocorticoids, is associated with a significant risk of relapse and treatment-related toxicity. The formation of multicenter collaborative groups has facilitated the execution of randomized controlled trials, and has led to the identification of several effective therapeutic options. This article reviews the existing data and refers to studies in progress that may answer some of the questions that remain regarding the treatment of the small vessel vasculitides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eamonn S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Molloy
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Langford
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015267:Churg-Strauss Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010956:Plasmapheresis
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors