title: Treating vasculitis with conventional immunosuppressive agents.
abstract: Standard therapy for granulomatosis with polyangiitis and other vasculitides is a combination of cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids. Although most patients achieve remission, relapses and treatment-related morbidities are common. Clinical trials have yielded a wealth of data about less toxic alternatives to standard therapy, including new agents and methods of delivery. All aim to reduce long-term exposure to cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids and so maintain safety while effectively preventing relapse. Individualized evaluation of risk and treatment selection will help maximize effectiveness and minimize toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Vasculitis and Lupus Clinic, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK. dj106@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jayne
mesh_terms: D056648:Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006146:Guanidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006146:Guanidines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; C037258:gusperimus; D008727:Methotrexate