Rituximab for maintenance of remission in ANCA-associated vasculitis: Expert consensus guidelines - Executive summary

Tieu, Joanna; Smith, Rona; Basu, Neil; Brogan, Paul; D’Cruz, David; Dhaun, Neeraj; Flossmann, Oliver; Harper, Lorraine; Jones, Rachel B.; Lanyon, Peter C.; Luqmani, Raashid A.; McAdoo, Stephen P.; Mukhtyar, Chetan; Pearce, Fiona A.; Pusey, Charles D.; Robson, Joanna C.; Salama, Alan D.; Smyth, Lucy; Watts, Richard A.; Willcocks, Lisa C.; Jayne, David R. W.

Abstract

© 2019 The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) encompasses three disease phenotypes: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Considerable improvements in therapy mean induction of remission occurs in most patients with AAV [1-4]. However, disease relapse continues to pose a burden to patients. Morbidity accrues with relapses through disease-related damage and adverse effects of therapies to manage these relapses, negatively impacting on quality of life [5]. Rituximab (RTX), a monoclonal antibody targeting CD20, leads to peripheral B cell depletion. This has been successfully trialled, and is licensed, for the induction and maintenance of remission in AAV [2, 3]. RTX is increasingly being used for the maintenance of remission in patients with AAV, to reduce the risk of relapse and its consequences [6]. Other commonly used agents that have been trialled for the maintenance of remission in AAV include azathioprine, methotrexate and mycophenolate [7-9]. The decision to select RTX for the maintenance of remission is multifactorial, including but not limited to, patient-related factors and preferences, previous treatment and response, consideration of the overall risk of relapse, and access to therapy. These guidelines have been developed by a group of physicians practising in the UK.

Citation

Tieu, J., Smith, R., Basu, N., Brogan, P., D’Cruz, D., Dhaun, N., …Jayne, D. R. W. (2020). Rituximab for maintenance of remission in ANCA-associated vasculitis: Expert consensus guidelines - Executive summary. Rheumatology, 59(4), 727-731. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kez632

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 19, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Feb 24, 2020
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: May 15, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 25, 2021
• Journal: Rheumatology
• Print ISSN: 1462-0324
• Electronic ISSN: 1462-0332
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 59
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 727-731
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kez632
• Keywords: Pharmacology (medical); Rheumatology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/5975247