The NEJM reports success when using mepolizumab (anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody) in a 52 week study of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

The FDA has approved subcutaneous tocilizumab for use in Giant Cell Arteritis based on the phase III GiACTA study that demonstrated that TCZ with steroids was superior to steroid therapy alone.

Mortality remains high in patients with the types of vasculitis that are associated with the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), a meta-analysis in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases determined.

Dr Jack Cush reviews highlights from the news last week on RheumNow.com: 

A retrospective analysis of four European vasculitis trials analyzes the risk venous thromboembolism (VTE) with ANCA-associated vasculitis and shows that CRP, cutaneous and GI involvement and baseline creatinine were most associated with VTE risk.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews news and highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com.  Sign up at RheumNow.com to received daily or weekly news, blogs and tweets on all things rheumatology

Chronic inflammation is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

This appears to be the year for biologic treatments in giant cell artertis (GCA).

Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) is a diagnostic challenge as its clinical manifestations are protean and the pathophysiology is poorly understood.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.

Rituximab has significantly changed the management of patiehts with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Yet the longitudinal assessment of such patients needs to be guideded by clinical and laboratory parameters.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from this past week on RheumNow.com:

Elderly patients treated with high doses of corticosteroids are bound to have multiple medical problems. But this was only recently quantified by researchers analyzing a a population-based cohort of biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients in Southern Sweden.

ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) has undergone considerable study and advances in the last few years.

Dr. Cush highlights reports from this week on RheumNow.com.

The potential association of herpes zoster with giant cell arteritis (GCA) has been a debated topic and certainly has gotten some attention at ACR 2016 this year.

It is well known that ANCA-associated vasculitides can be hard to control and relapses are common. The choice of maintenance therapy is rather limited and therapies are not always effective.

Washington is always a great city to visit (even though there were a few protesters floating around the streets). I hope the posts I made were of interest to some readers. Here are my top 5 highlights from ACR 2016:

It is well known that ANCA-associated vasculitides can be hard to control and relapses are common. The choice of maintenance therapy is rather limited and therapies are not always effective.