Adverse effects of therapy for ANCA-associated vasculitis

Predictive utility of ANCA positivity and antigen specificity in the assessment of kidney disease in paediatric-onset small vessel vasculitis

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to evaluate whether anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) seropositivity and antigen specificity at diagnosis have predictive utility in paediatric-onset small vessel vasculitis.

METHODS

Children and adolescents with small vessel vasculitis (n=406) stratified according to the absence (n=41) or presence of ANCA for myeloperoxidase (MPO) (n=129) and proteinase-3 (PR3) (n=236) were compared for overall and kidney-specific disease activity at diagnosis and outcomes between 1 and 2 years using retrospective clinical data from the ARChiVe/Paediatric Vasculitis Initiative registry to fit generalised linear models.

RESULTS

Overall disease activity at diagnosis was higher in PR3-ANCA and MPO-ANCA-seropositive individuals compared with ANCA-negative vasculitis. By 1 year, there were no significant differences, based on ANCA positivity or specificity, in the likelihood of achieving inactive disease (~68%), experiencing improvement (≥87%) or acquiring damage (~58%). Similarly, and in contrast to adult-onset ANCA-associated vasculitis, there were no significant differences in the likelihood of having a relapse (~11%) between 1 and 2 years after diagnosis. Relative to PR3-ANCA, MPO-ANCA seropositivity was associated with a higher likelihood of kidney involvement (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 4.7, p=0.008) and severe kidney dysfunction (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stages 4-5; OR 6.04, 95% CI 2.77 to 13.57, p<0.001) at onset. Nonetheless, MPO-ANCA seropositive individuals were more likely to demonstrate improvement in kidney function (improved KDIGO category) within 1 year of diagnosis than PR3-ANCA seropositive individuals with similarly severe kidney disease at onset (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest important paediatric-specific differences in the predictive value of ANCA compared with adult patients that should be considered when making treatment decisions in this population.

Evolution of Therapy for ANCA-Associated Vasculitis with Kidney Involvement

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) belongs to a group of small vessel systemic vasculitides characterized by granulomatous and neutrophilic inflammation of various tissues. Patients often have circulating autoantibodies targeting neutrophilic antigens. Although AAV was once associated with severe end-organ damage and extremely high mortality rates, the use of glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide led to a paradigm change in its treatment. Over the past 20 years, significant progress in understanding the immunopathogenesis of AAV has enabled development of targeted immunotherapies, providing a much better prognosis for patients. This review describes the evolution of treatment of AAV, particularly for patients with kidney involvement.

ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: An Update

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) represents a group of small vessel vasculitides characterized by granulomatous and neutrophilic tissue inflammation, often associated with the production of antibodies that target neutrophil antigens. The two major antigens targeted by ANCAs are leukocyte proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). AAV can be classified into 3 categories based on patterns of clinical involvement: namely, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic GPA (EGPA). Clinically, AAV involves many organ systems including the lungs, kidneys, skin, and nervous system. The prognosis of AAV has improved dramatically due to advances in the understanding of its pathogenesis and treatment modalities. This review will highlight some of the recent updates in our understanding of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment options in patients with AAV focusing on kidney involvement.

Incidence and clinical predictors of infections in patients treated with severe systemic ANCA-associated vasculitis

BACKGROUND

Immunosuppressive therapy has improved the outcome of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), but infectious morbidity and mortality remained high. Recognizing its risk factors seems crucial for prevention, aiming to increase survival of these patients.

METHODS

We investigated the incidence and types of infections and assessed predictive factors in 132 patients with severe systemic AAV.

RESULTS

Patients with lower than median incidence of total infections/patient-year during induction had lower baseline serum creatinine, dialysis requirement and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), compared to those with higher than median incidence (P = 0.037; P = 0.024; P = 0.001; respectively). In subgroups with below and above than median number of severe infections/patient-year during induction, differences were found in baseline creatinine (P = 0.002) and dialysis requirement (P = 0.001); comparing the same cohorts during maintenance immunosuppression, baseline dialysis requirement, diabetes, CCI, and dose of cyclophosphamide (CYC) administered as induction therapy differed significantly (P = 0.019; P = 0.015; P = 0.001; P = 0.015, respectively). Severe infections were predicted by baseline serum creatinine (OR 1.002 [CI 1.001-1.003]) and pulmonary manifestation (OR 2.153 [CI 1.017-4.560]) during induction immunosuppression. In multivariable Cox regression model all-cause mortality was independently predicted by severe infection (HR 1.998 [CI 1.214-3.287]). Among the 168 positive cultures Gram-negative bacteria were responsible for blood stream infections in 33%, and respiratory tract infections in 72%.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced renal failure, pulmonary involvement and high degree of comorbidities increase the risk of infection in AAV. Those who suffer infection during induction immunosuppression have worse long-term survival. Our findings indicate the need for high vigilance for infections and close follow-up of comorbidities when treating AAV.

Glucocorticoid maintenance therapy and severe infectious complications in ANCA-associated vasculitis: a retrospective analysis

To study the impact of glucocorticoid maintenance dose and treatment duration on outcomes in patients with AAV (ANCA-associated vasculitis) with emphasis on infectious complications. A total of 130 AAV patients from two German vasculitis centers diagnosed between August 2004 and January 2019 treated with cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids for induction therapy and glucocorticoids for maintenance therapy were retrospectively enrolled. We investigated the influence of glucocorticoid maintenance therapy on patient survival, time to relapse, kidney function, infectious complications and irreversible physical damage. The patients were divided into the following groups: patients treated according to the predefined reduction scheme (< 7.5 mg) or patients treated with glucocorticoids ≥ 7.5 mg after 6 months. Compared to patients receiving < 7.5 mg glucocorticoids after 6 months, patients receiving \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\ge $$\end{document}≥ 7.5 mg had an increased rate of infectious episodes per patient (1.7 vs. 0.6; p < 0.001), including urinary tract infection (p = 0.007), pneumonia (p = 0.003), opportunistic pneumonia (p = 0.022) and sepsis (p = 0.008). Especially pneumonia during the first 24 months after disease onset [hazard ratio, 3.0 (95% CI 1.5 − 6.1)] led to more deaths from infection (p = 0.034). Glucocorticoid maintenance therapy after 6 months had no impact on relapse rate or patient survival and decline in kidney function was comparable. Glucocorticoid maintenance therapy with \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\ge $$\end{document}≥ 7.5 mg after 6 months is associated with more severe infectious complications leading to an increased frequency of deaths from infection. Glucocorticoid maintenance therapy has no effect on time to relapse or patient survival and should therefore be critically revised throughout the aftercare of AAV patients.

ANCA-associated vasculitides: Recommendations of the French Vasculitis Study Group on the use of immunosuppressants and biotherapies for remission induction and maintenance

Treatment of vasculitides associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) (AAVs) has evolved dramatically in recent years, particularly since the demonstration of rituximab efficacy as remission induction and maintenance therapy for granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. In 2013, the French Vasculitis Study Group (FVSG) published recommendations for its use by clinicians. Since then, new data have made it possible to better specify and codify prescription of rituximab to treat AAVs. Herein, the FVSG Recommendations Committee, an expert panel comprised of physicians with extensive experience in the treatment and management of vasculitides, presents its consensus guidelines based on literature analysis, the results of prospective therapeutic trials and personal experience.

Improving quality of life in vasculitis patients

Systemic vasculitis are a complex cluster of diseases with high associated morbidity. As disease-related mortality diminishes, the cumulative impact of poor health-related quality of life becomes more pertinent to patients than the initial pathological insult. In this article we explore health-related quality of life in ANCA-associated vasculitis, large-vessel vasculitis and therapeutic strategies that may enhance this critical outcome.

Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone for induction of remission in severe ANCA associated Vasculitis: a multi-center retrospective cohort study

Background

Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone (MP) is commonly included in the management of severe ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) despite limited evidence of benefit. We aimed to evaluate outcomes in patients who had, or had not received MP, along with standard therapy for remission induction in severe AAV.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 114 consecutive patients from five centres in Europe and the United States with a new diagnosis of severe AAV (creatinine > 500 μmol/L or dialysis dependency) and that received standard therapy (plasma exchange, cyclophosphamide and high-dose oral corticosteroids) for remission induction with or without pulse MP between 2000 and 2013. We evaluated survival, renal recovery, relapses, and adverse events over the first 12 months.

Results

Fifty-two patients received pulse MP in addition to standard therapy compared to 62 patients that did not. There was no difference in survival, renal recovery or relapses. Treatment with MP associated with higher risk of infection during the first 3 months (hazard ratio (HR) 2.7, 95%CI [1.4–5.3], p = 0.004) and higher incidence of diabetes (HR 6.33 [1.94–20.63], p = 0.002), after adjustment for confounding factors.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that addition of pulse intravenous MP to standard therapy for remission induction in severe AAV may not confer clinical benefit and may be associated with more episodes of infection and higher incidence of diabetes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12882-019-1226-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitides with renal involvement: Open challenges in the remission induction therapy

Renal involvement with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is a common manifestation of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitides, which is characterized by end-stage renal disease and high mortality rates in untreated and/or late referral patients. The long-term renal survival has improved dramatically since the addition of cyclophosphamide (CYC) and recently of rituximab (RTX) in association with corticosteroids in the remission induction therapeutic regimens. However, renal prognosis remains unfavorable for many patients and the mortality rate is still significantly high. In this review, we analyze the open challenges to be addressed to optimize the induction remission therapy, principally in patients with advanced kidney failure. This concern the first-line therapy (CYC or RTX) based on different parameters (estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline, new or relapsed disease, ANCA specificity, tissue injury, safety), the role of plasma exchange and the role of new therapies. Indeed, we discuss future perspectives in induction remission therapy by reporting recent advances in new targeted therapies with particular reference to avacopan, an orally administered selective C5a receptor inhibitor.

S100A12 Serum Levels and PMN Counts Are Elevated in Childhood Systemic Vasculitides Especially Involving Proteinase 3 Specific Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies

Objectives: Chronic primary systemic vasculitidies (CPV) are a collection of rare diseases involving inflammation in blood vessels, often in multiple organs. CPV can affect adults and children and may be life- or organ-threatening. Treatments for adult CPV, although effective, have known severe potential toxicities; safety and efficacy of these drugs in pediatric patients is not fully understood. There is an unmet need for biologic measures to assess the level of disease activity and, in turn, inform treatment choices for stopping, starting, or modifying therapy. This observational study determines if S100 calcium-binding protein A12 (S100A12) and common inflammatory indicators are sensitive markers of disease activity in children and adolescents with CPV that could be used to inform a minimal effective dose of therapy. Methods: Clinical data and sera were collected from 56 participants with CPV at study visits from diagnosis to remission. Serum concentrations of S100A12, C-reactive protein (CRP) and hemoglobin (Hb) as well as whole blood cell counts and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. Disease activity was inferred by physician's global assessment (PGA) and the pediatric vasculitis activity score (PVAS). Results: Serum concentrations of standard markers of inflammation (ESR, CRP, Hb, absolute blood neutrophil count), and S100A12 track with clinically assessed disease activity. These measures-particularly neutrophil counts and sera concentrations of S100A12-had the most significant correlation with clinical scores of disease activity in those children with vasculitis that is associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) against proteinase 3. Conclusions: S100A12 and neutrophil counts should be considered in the assessment of disease activity in children with CPV particularly the most common forms of the disease that involve proteinase 3 ANCA. Key messages: - In children with chronic primary systemic vasculitis (CPV), classical measures of inflammation are not formally considered in scoring of disease activity. - Inflammatory markers-specifically S100A12 and neutrophil count-track preferentially with the most common forms of childhood CPV which affect small to medium sized vessels and involve anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) against proteinase-3.

Kv1.3 Channel Blockade Modulates the Effector Function of B Cells in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

B cells are central to the pathogenesis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), exhibiting both (auto)antibody-dependent and -independent properties. Class-switched memory B cells in particular are a major source of pathogenic autoantibodies. These cells are characterized by high expression levels of Kv1.3 potassium channels, which may offer therapeutic potential for Kv1.3 blockade. In this study, we investigated the effect of the highly potent Kv1.3 blocker ShK-186 on B cell properties in GPA in vitro. Circulating B cell subsets were determined from 33 GPA patients and 17 healthy controls (HCs). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from GPA patients, and HCs were stimulated in vitro in the presence and absence of ShK-186. The production of total and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies targeting proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA) IgG was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Phadia EliA, respectively. In addition, effects of ShK-186 on B cell proliferation and cytokine production were determined by flow cytometry. The frequency of circulating switched and unswitched memory B cells was decreased in GPA patients as compared to HC. ShK-186 suppressed the production of both total and PR3-ANCA IgG in stimulated PBMCs. A strong decrease in production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-2, and interferon gamma was observed upon ShK-186 treatment, while effects on IL-10 production were less pronounced. As such, ShK-186 modulated the TNFα/IL-10 ratio among B cells, resulting in a relative increase in the regulatory B cell pool. ShK-186 modulates the effector functions of B cells in vitro by decreasing autoantibody and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Kv1.3 channel blockade may hold promise as a novel therapeutic strategy in GPA and other B cell-mediated autoimmune disorders.

Vasculitis for the internist: focus on ANCA-associated vasculitis

Vasculitides comprise several diseases affecting vessels of different sizes, mainly arteries, but also capillaries and veins. Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitides (AAVs) belong to the systemic necrotizing small-vessel vasculitis group that comprises granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Internists often see AAV patients, and although their outcomes are usually good, the disease can be responsible for morbidity and mortality. Herein, after reviewing the literature, we concentrate on selected aspects important for the internist, including classification, diagnostic dilemmas, treatment novelties, and follow-up.

Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Glomerulonephritis Complicated by Pneumatosis Intestinalis

Pneumatosis intestinalis is a characteristic imaging phenomenon indicating the presence of gas in the bowel wall. The link between pneumatosis intestinalis and various kinds of autoimmune diseases has been reported anecdotally, while information regarding the cases with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)–associated vasculitis complicated by concurrent pneumatosis intestinalis is lacking. In this report, we describe our serendipitous experience with one such case of pneumatosis intestinalis in a patient with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis. We also discuss several therapeutic concerns that arose in the current case, which had an impact on the pathogenesis of the disease.

Update on the treatment of ANCA associated vasculitis

The introduction of glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide has transformed ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) from a fatal to a largely treatable condition. Over the past 40 years, considerable progress has been made in refining immunosuppressive regimens with a focus on minimising toxicity. As knowledge of the pathogenesis of AAV grows, it is mirrored by the availability of biological agents. Lymphocyte and cytokine targeted agents have been evaluated for the treatment of AAV and are entering the routine therapeutic arena with the potential to improve patient outcomes. Rituximab has transformed management of AAV in the past decade. However, there remains unmet need in the treatment of AAV; the majority of patients will relapse within five years of diagnosis despite maintenance immunosuppression; a small number of patients remain refractory to current therapies and treatment toxicity continues to contribute to mortality and chronic disability. As in rare diseases, treatment advances in vasculitis depend on international collaborative research networks to both establish an evidence base for newer agents and develop recommendations for optimal patient management.

B-cell therapy in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Until recently, standard of care for patients with generalized or severe antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) has consisted of an induction regimen with cyclophosphamide (CYC) and corticosteroids followed by maintenance treatment with azathioprine. This regimen is associated with significant toxicity resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality whereas relapses are still not infrequent. In two controlled trials, the Rituximab in ANCA-associated Vasculitis study (RAVE) and the RITUXVAS trial of the European Vasculitis Study Group (EUVAS), rituximab (RTX) proved non-inferior to CYC for induction of remission. In addition, outcome at 18 months for the RAVE trial and 12 months for the RITUXVAS trial showed that RTX without maintenance treatment was as efficacious as CYC followed by azathioprine maintenance. To prevent relapses, which occur particularly in patients positive for PR3-ANCA, 500 mg RTX given every 6 months was shown to be superior to azathioprine in a French study. Thus, RTX is a new and promising therapeutic armamentarium for AAV although long-term safety has still to be established.

Limitations of standard immunosuppressive treatment in ANCA-associated vasculitis and lupus nephritis

Introduction of the standard immunosuppressive treatment has dramatically changed the outcome of patients with both ANCA-associated vasculitis and lupus nephritis, transforming them from incurable diseases with very high short-term mortality to chronic debilitating diseases with much lower short-term, but still relatively high long-term, morbidity/mortality. Long-term morbidity with damage accumulating partly due to the adverse events of the available treatment (namely gonadal toxicity, malignancy, bone disease, cataracts, diabetes, and thromboembolic and cardiovascular disease) has become a major concern. Although cyclophosphamide-based regimens have been partly replaced by newer agents in both ANCA-associated vasculitis and lupus nephritis (namely rituximab or mycophenolate, respectively) their short-term and medium-term adverse events may not be significantly less frequent and we can only hope that new treatments will translate into better long-term outcomes including better long-term safety.

Low-dose cyclophosphamide-induced acute hepatotoxicity

Patient: Male, 48

Final Diagnosis: Low dose cyclophosphamide-induced acute hepatotoxicity

Symptoms: Epigastric pain

Medication: Withdrawal of cyclophosphamide

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Nephrology • Hepatology • Gastroenterology • Toxicology

Damage assessment in ANCA-associated vasculitis

Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody associated vasculitis has been transformed from life-threatening conditions to chronic relapsing long-term diseases as a result of significant advances in immunosuppressive therapy. Although mortality still occurs, it is much less frequent, with an average 5-year survival of over 70 %. In the setting of chronic conditions, it becomes increasingly important to monitor the burden of disease in terms of both active inflammation requiring immunosuppression and chronic damage (scarring) from vasculitis and its treatment and associated comorbidity. The damage that accumulates in patients with vasculitis does not respond to immunosuppressive treatment. It is important to distinguish disease activity from disease damage to prevent unnecessary immunosuppression, but it is equally important to recognize damage for what it is, so that it can be addressed appropriately. Damage is an inevitable consequence of long-term vasculitis for over 80 % of patients, which should not surprise us given the severity of the original illness. There is potential value in measuring damage as a means of providing prognostic information. Using a quantified score such as the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) allows us to predict mortality. Patients with at least five items of damage on the VDI score have substantially worse mortality (7- to 11-fold worse risk), as compared with those with lesser amounts of damage. These findings should be taken into context when planning the management of patients with vasculitis, as well as in clinical trials of vasculitis. Disease damage is an important surrogate for long-term outcome in vasculitis, and studies should be designed to limit the amount of damage accumulating as a result of therapeutic intervention, rather than simply controlling disease activity, as is currently the aim in recent randomized controlled trials in vasculitis. Furthermore, careful cataloguing of damage, as well as disease activity items, provides much greater detail in describing and observing the long-term natural history of primary systemic vasculitis in patients treated with immunosuppressive agents who survive their initial disease process.

Long-term outcome and efficacy of cyclophosphamide therapy in Japanese patients with ANCA-associated microscopic polyangiitis: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of cyclophosphamide (CY) in Japanese patients with antineutrophil cystoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).

METHODS

Sixty-four patients, newly diagnosed with ANCA-associated MPA were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received combination therapy of CY and corticosteroid (CS) (CY group, n=29) or CS alone (CS group, n=35) for remission induction. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Most patients in the CY group were treated with oral CY. Between the two groups, there were no differences in the baseline characteristics except for a higher proportion of male patients in the CY group. The remission rate was not substantially different between the two groups (86.2% in the CY group vs. 91.4% in the CS group). The survival rate was slightly higher in the CY group than in the CS group (not statistically significant; 0.86 vs. 0.77 at 1 year and 0.73 vs. 0.64 at 5 years, p=0.648). In the CY group, the hazard ratio after adjusting for age, sex, Birmingham vasculitis activity score values, serum albumin levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was 0.657 (95% CI, 0.254-1.699; p=0.386).

CONCLUSION

We observed no increased efficacy of CY in ANCA-positive MPA in the Japanese patients, and hence, its efficacy may be limited in these patients.

Lymphopenia and treatment-related infectious complications in ANCA-associated vasculitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is treated with potent immunosuppressive regimens. This study sought to determine risk factors associated with infections during first-intention therapy.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

This retrospective study involved two separate cohorts of consecutive cases of AAV seen from 2004 to 2011 at two university hospitals. The following were assessed: vasculitis severity; therapy; and periods with no, moderate (lymphocyte count, 0.3-1.0× 10(9)/L), or severe (lymphocyte count ≤ 0.3×10(9)/L) lymphopenia and neutropenia (neutrophil count ≤ 1.5×10(9)/L).

RESULTS

One hundred patients had a mean age of 57±15 years and a Birmingham vasculitis activity score of 7.7±3.6. Therapy consisted of pulse methylprednisolone (59%), cyclophosphamide (85%), methotrexate (6%), and plasmapheresis (25%) in addition to oral corticosteroids. During follow-up, 53% of patients experienced infection and 28% were hospitalized for infection (severe infection). Only 18% experienced neutropenia, but 72% and 36% presented moderate and severe lymphopenia for a total duration of <0.1%, 73%, and 8% of the treatment follow-up, respectively. Lower initial estimated GFR, longer duration of corticosteroid use, and presence of lymphopenia were risk factors of infections. The rate was 2.23 events/person-year in the presence of severe lymphopenia compared with 0.41 and 0.19 during periods with moderate or no lymphopenia (P<0.001). Similarly, the rate of severe infections was 1.00 event/person-year with severe lymphopenia and 0.08 and 0.10 with moderate and no lymphopenia (P<0.001). This association remained independent of other risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphopenia is frequent during the treatment of AAV, and its severity is associated with the risk of infectious complications.

Do adult disease severity subclassifications predict use of cyclophosphamide in children with ANCA-associated vasculitis? An analysis of ARChiVe study treatment decisions

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether adult disease severity subclassification systems for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) are concordant with the decision to treat pediatric patients with cyclophosphamide (CYC).

METHODS

We applied the European Vasculitis Study (EUVAS) and Wegener's Granulomatosis Etanercept Trial (WGET) disease severity subclassification systems to pediatric patients with AAV in A Registry for Childhood Vasculitis (ARChiVe). Modifications were made to the EUVAS and WGET systems to enable their application to this cohort of children. Treatment was categorized into 2 groups, "cyclophosphamide" and "no cyclophosphamide." Pearson's chi-square and Kendall's rank correlation coefficient statistical analyses were used to determine the relationship between disease severity subgroup and treatment at the time of diagnosis.

RESULTS

In total, 125 children with AAV were studied. Severity subgroup was associated with treatment group in both the EUVAS (chi-square 45.14, p < 0.001, Kendall's tau-b 0.601, p < 0.001) and WGET (chi-square 59.33, p < 0.001, Kendall's tau-b 0.689, p < 0.001) systems; however, 7 children classified by both systems as having less severe disease received CYC, and 6 children classified as having severe disease by both systems did not receive CYC.

CONCLUSION

In this pediatric AAV cohort, the EUVAS and WGET adult severity subclassification systems had strong correlation with physician choice of treatment. However, a proportion of patients received treatment that was not concordant with their assigned severity subclass.

Refractory disease in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies associated vasculitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Induction treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) is not always successful and nonresponding patients are considered refractory.

RECENT FINDINGS

Refractory disease should be subdefined to the treatment that was received. Cyclophosphamide refractory AAV occurs in up to 5% of patients. Many more patients develop contraindications to cyclophosphamide or relapse frequently. The latter two patient groups might also benefit from treatment used for cyclophosphamide refractory AAV.

SUMMARY

The most promising drug for treating refractory AAV is rituximab.

Safety and diagnostic yield of renal biopsy in the intensive care unit

PURPOSE

Renal biopsy (RB) is occasionally performed in critically ill patients. The safety and impact of RB in this setting have not been reported.

METHODS

A 10-year (2000-2009) retrospective multicentre study was conducted in ten French intensive care units (ICU) on patients who underwent RB during their management. Medical files were retrieved for data analysis.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients underwent an RB of which 68 (88 %) were on a native kidney and 9 (12 %) on a transplanted kidney. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided RB was used in most cases (87 %). Fifty-seven per cent of the patients were on mechanical ventilation at the time of RB. RB-related complications occurred in 17 (22 %) patients, two were graded as severe (requirement for kidney embolization, eventually successful). In 35 (51 %) non-transplanted patients, RB established a specific diagnosis other than acute tubular necrosis (ATN), which was diagnosed in only 18 % of patients. In the remaining patients, only non-specific lesions were observed. Therapeutic modifications followed RB in 14 (21 %) non-transplanted patients. Presence of signs of systemic disease involving the renal tract, occurrence of renal failure before hospital admission, and absence of any factor usually associated with ATN significantly predicted the presence of a specific diagnosis at RB other than ATN.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, the contribution of RB to diagnosis and treatment was undeniable, but at the expense of frequent adverse events although most of them were not considered severe.

Complications of long-term therapy for ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis

The antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitides (AASVs) include granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. These conditions are characterized by small-vessel inflammation and necrosis, predominantly in pulmonary and renal vascular beds. Untreated AASV has a poor prognosis, although the advent of effective immunosuppressive therapy (the mainstay of which remains cyclophosphamide with high-dose corticosteroids) has markedly improved patients' survival (78% at 5 years). Patients with AASV, however, continue to have an increased mortality compared to the general population. Mortality is greatest in the first year after diagnosis and remains consistently elevated in subsequent years. Patients with AASV also experience increased rates of infections, malignancies and cardiovascular events as compared to the general population. Current treatments for AASV, although effective in controlling the aggressive systemic disease, incur substantial long-term toxic effects. Long-term immunosuppressive therapy also has notable deleterious effects on bone health and fertility. The long-term safety profiles of biological therapies (such as rituximab) are yet to be evaluated in patients with AASV, but represent a promising treatment option. The challenge for the future is to develop specific therapies with improved safety profiles that can cure these diseases.

Progress in treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis

Autoantibodies to neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen-associated vasculitis (AAV) is characterised by inflammation of blood vessels. The introduction of immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide transformed AAV from a fatal condition to a largely treatable condition. Over the past 30 years, considerable progress has been made refining immunosuppressive regimens with a focus on minimising toxicity. There is, however, a high unmet need in the treatment of AAV. A proportion of patients are refractory to current therapies; 50% experience a relapse within 5 years and treatment toxicity contributes to mortality and chronic disability. As knowledge of the pathogenesis of vasculitis grows, it is mirrored by the availability of biological agents, which herald a revolution in the treatment of vasculitis. Lymphocyte-targeted and cytokine-targeted agents have been evaluated for the treatment of AAV and are entering the routine therapeutic arena with the potential to improve patient outcomes. As rare diseases, treatment advances in vasculitis depend on international collaborative research networks both to establish an evidence base for newer agents and to develop recommendations for patient management.

The Efficacy of Mizoribine (Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor) for ANCA-Associated Vasculitis with Hepatitis B Virus Carrier

A 42-year-old female who was an asymptomatic carrier of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was diagnosed with antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis and was induced to remission with 30 mg/day prednisolone nine years ago. Four years ago, she suffered recurrence of ANCA-associated vasculitis and with 30 mg/day prednisolone was induced to remission. This time, laboratory data showed 3-fold increase in myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) levels. Administration of 30 mg/day prednisolone was started. Three days later, she was admitted to our hospital suffering from fatigue. After admission, urinalysis showed glomerular hematuria. Despite administration of 30 mg/day prednisolone, MPO-ANCA titer had been of high level, ranging from 42 to 83 EU for 2.5 months. Furthermore, the adverse effects of steroid were seen. We decided the tapering of prednisolone (25 mg/day) and the start of mizoribine (4-carbamoyl-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl imidazolium-5-olate) administration. After mizoribine treatment, MPO-ANCA titer was decreased without any mizoribine-related adverse effects. Six months later, MPO-ANCA titer was decreased to normal levels and she was induced to clinical remission without reactivation of HBV. We describe the effectiveness of mizoribine for the ANCA-associated vasculitis complicated with HBV-carrier.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment efficacy in children with primary and secondary glomerulonephritis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of our study was to analyse the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as part of the complex immunosuppressive therapy in children with different types of primary and secondary glomerulonephritis, who were not eligible for the standard treatment routine suggested by evidence-based guidelines.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group comprised 85 children with proteinuric glomerulopathies hospitalized between 2007 and 2010, who were non-responders to immunosuppressive therapy. The dose of MMF was established as 1 g/m(2)/24 h. Remission was defined as negative proteinuria in three consecutive urinalyses.

RESULTS

The patients were divided into 4 groups: idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (n = 35), primary glomerulonephritis (n = 15), auto-antibody associated glomerulonephritis (n = 20) and lupus nephropathy (LN, n = 15). Ten patients from the first group (29%) and 5 patients each from the second and third group (34% and 25% respectively) did not respond to MMF therapy. On the other hand, all the children diagnosed with LN have reached clinical and biochemical remission.

CONCLUSIONS

Alternative rescue MMF therapy should always be taken into consideration in proteinuric patients who are non-responders to steroids, cyclosporine A and cyclophosphamide in whom the initial glomerular filtration rate is higher than 60 ml/min/1.73m(2). It is recommended that MMF be administered as part of the standard treatment regimen in patients diagnosed with lupus nephropathy. In these groups of patients, the potent benefits of this therapy are higher than expected side-effects.

Ocular manifestations of systemic disease: antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) may be localized or systemic, and can involve the eyes. This review presents the major disease features and treatments of these forms of systemic vasculitis.

RECENT FINDINGS

It is increasingly recognized that ocular disease in AAV can occur in the absence of systemic disease, and that in limited eye disease the ANCA is frequently undetected. Ocular disease in AAV can take many forms, from orbital pseudotumor to scleritis, keratitis, and retinitis. Management of eye disease in ANCA-associated vasculitis includes local anti-inflammatory and moisturizing therapies, local and systemic glucocorticosteroid therapies. Systemic therapies are highly effective for the management of organ involvement of AAV including eye disease, and include the chemotherapies cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and methotrexate. The results of recent, randomized, clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of a new tool in the therapeutic armamentarium for AAV, the use of B-cell-depleting therapy with rituximab.

SUMMARY

Ocular disease in AAV can occur in isolation or more commonly as a manifestation of systemic disease. With recent advances in treatment, the organ and overall life expectancy of patients suffering from AAV has markedly improved.

Glucocorticoids and relapse and infection rates in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The optimal course of glucocorticoid therapy in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA) disease is unknown. This cohort study evaluates effects of glucocorticoid therapy duration on patient outcomes and adverse events.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

This study assessed 147 patients diagnosed between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2009 who were treated with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide. Patients with end stage kidney disease at presentation, treatment resistance, or who had died within 6 months were excluded. Patients were divided into three groups: 0, 5, or >5 mg prednisone daily at 6 months after therapy initiation. The latter two groups were combined for assessment of adverse events. Wilcoxon rank sum, Kruskal-Wallis, or Fisher's exact tests were used for between-group comparisons. Time to relapse was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test for comparison.

RESULTS

There were no differences between groups in ANCA specificity, serum creatinine, frequency of risk factors for relapse, or length of therapy with immunosuppressants. Length of glucocorticoid therapy had no impact on time to relapse (hazard ratio, 0.69 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.23-2.02]; 1.01, [95% CI, 0.57-1.81] for the 5-mg and >5-mg groups, respectively), relapse-free survival, end stage kidney disease, or death. Patients receiving glucocorticoids beyond 6 months had significantly higher incidence of infections (0.64 infections per person-year versus 0.39, P<0.0001) and a marginally significant higher frequency of new-onset diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% CI, 0.94-4.38).

CONCLUSIONS

Glucocorticoid therapy beyond 6 months is associated with a significantly greater risk of infections but not a significantly decreased risk of relapse.

Evaluation of weekly-reduction regimen of glucocorticoids in combination with cyclophosphamide for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis in Japanese patients

The current therapeutic regimen recommended by the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is continuation of initially administered doses of glucocorticoids (GCs) in combination with cyclophosphamide (CYC) for 1 month followed by gradual tapering. Considering the adverse effects of GCs, another tapering regimen of GCs with CYC, which was characterized by tapering GCs weekly, was reported by the British Society of Rheumatology (weekly-reduction regimen). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this weekly-reduction regimen for Japanese AAV patients in comparison with the monthly-reduction regimen recommended by the EULAR. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of adult patients newly diagnosed with AAV during the period from April 2000 to December 2010. The outcome measures were rates of remission, relapse, infection, and GC-induced diabetes mellitus during the first 12 months. Clinical data in the two groups and categorial variables with a possible relation to the outcomes were compared by using the t test and chi-square test, respectively. Twenty-four patients were enrolled in our study. All of the patients achieved remission, and the rates of relapse during the first 12 months were not statistically different between the two groups (P = 0.16). Patients treated with the weekly-reduction regimen were less liable to have infection (P = 0.03) and impaired glucose tolerance (P = 0.017), compared with those treated with the monthly-reduction regimen. A therapeutic strategy using the weekly-reduction regimen of GCs would be effective and would have fewer side effects than the monthly-reduction regimen.

ANCA-associated vasculitides-lessons from the adult literature

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen antibody (ANCA)-associated disease is a rare manifestation of primary systemic vasculitis in paediatric patients but one that carries significant morbidity, potential long-term disability and early mortality. It therefore requires a high index of suspicion, targeted investigation, prompt treatment and long-term follow-up with specialist input at every stage. The well-recognised diversity and overlap in clinical, laboratory and histopathological features of the ANCA-associated systemic vasculitides continue to hamper accurate diagnosis, confounding epidemiological data and necessitating a blanket approach to treatment, which is largely extrapolated from studies in adult patients and carries significant side-effects. Herein we summarise current knowledge of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, principal manifestations, investigation and evidence-based management, extrapolated from adult studies, of these disorders. We also discuss recent efforts towards classification of the childhood vasculitides that emphasise the value of histological diagnosis. Progress in our understanding of the pathophysiology underlying ANCA-associated disease should lead to targeted, safer and more effective therapies for these conditions. Nonetheless, many questions remain outstanding, and academic paediatricians face real challenges in identifying and collating the few cases they encounter into study cohorts. Meeting this challenge will require international collaboration, not only among paediatricians but also with the specialists taking over care of these patients as they reach adulthood.

Rituximab as maintenance therapy for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ongoing randomized trials seek to validate the efficacy of rituximab as an induction agent for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). However, no studies directly address the role of rituximab as maintenance therapy.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

This retrospective study reports the authors' experience with continuous rituximab administration in 39 patients in complete or partial remission at the time of rituximab initiation. All 39 patients had at least 1 year of follow-up, and 20 had 2 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Disease activity, as measured by a modified Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, decreased from a median of 1 at baseline to 0 at 12 (P < 0.001) and 24 months (P = 0.02). Three patients experienced nonorgan-threatening flares during 708 patient-months of follow-up. Each flare occurred after at least 20 months of follow-up. The percentage of patients on cytotoxic immunosuppression decreased from 87% at baseline to 41% at 12 months (P < 0.001) and 30% at 24 months (P = 0.002). The percentage of patients on prednisone decreased from 92% at baseline to 59% at 12 months (P < 0.001) and 55% at 24 months (P = 0.02). Two patients developed late-onset neutropenia; both responded to treatment with recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

CONCLUSIONS

The successful use of continuous anti-B cell therapy in patients with AAV in complete or partial remission is reported. This extends the potential role of rituximab beyond induction to include maintenance therapy. However, more data are required regarding the delayed adverse effects of rituximab.

IgG glycan hydrolysis attenuates ANCA-mediated glomerulonephritis

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) directed against myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (Pr3) are considered pathogenic in ANCA-associated necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN) and vasculitis. Modulation of ANCA IgG glycosylation may potentially reduce its pathogenicity by abolishing Fc receptor-mediated activation of leukocytes and complement. Here, we investigated whether IgG hydrolysis by the bacterial enzyme endoglycosidase S (EndoS) attenuates ANCA-mediated NCGN. In vitro, treatment of ANCA IgG with EndoS significantly attenuated ANCA-mediated neutrophil activation without affecting antigen-binding capacity. In a mouse model of anti-MPO IgG/LPS-induced NCGN, we induced disease with either unmodified or EndoS-treated (deglycosylated) anti-MPO IgG. In separate experiments, we administered EndoS systemically after disease induction with unmodified anti-MPO IgG. Pretreatment of anti-MPO IgG with EndoS reduced hematuria, leukocyturia, and albuminuria and attenuated both neutrophil influx and formation of glomerular crescents. After inducing disease with unmodified anti-MPO IgG, systemic treatment with EndoS reduced albuminuria and glomerular crescent formation when initiated after 3 but not 24 hours. In conclusion, IgG glycan hydrolysis by EndoS attenuates ANCA-induced neutrophil activation in vitro and prevents induction of anti-MPO IgG/LPS-mediated NCGN in vivo. Systemic treatment with EndoS early after disease induction attenuates the development of disease. Thus, modulation of IgG glycosylation is a promising strategy to interfere with ANCA-mediated inflammatory processes.