title: 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.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Norfolk and Norwich University Foundation NHS Trust, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: Eleana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ntatsaki
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Watts
mesh_terms: D056648:Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D016685:Mitomycin; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012074:Remission Induction; D018570:Risk Assessment; D000069283:Rituximab; D012673:Semustine; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012673:Semustine; D000069283:Rituximab; D016685:Mitomycin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001379:Azathioprine; D005472:Fluorouracil