Abstract
The vast majority of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) who receive conventional treatment with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide experience frequent relapses and treatment-related side-effects. Increasing knowledge of the pathogenesis of AAV has permitted the development of targeted therapies against tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a and T and B lymphocytes. Therapy with TNF-a blocking drugs has so far proved disappointing, and this approach is not recommended. B cell depletion using rituximab is effective for remission induction, especially in refractory patients. The long-term side-effects and the best method of using rituximab to maintain remission are still to be determined.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 319-326 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Modern Rheumatology |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 29 Oct 2011 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2012 |