Vasculitis

ANCA-associated vasculitis is an autoimmune inflammation of small blood vessels, can result in serious kidney and other tissue and organ damage. Current treatments suppress protective elements of the immune system, leading to significant side effects. However, clinicians do not have the information to know when to stop treatment, and patients want better new treatments with fewer side effects.

Who does it affect?

ANCA-associated vasculitis in Australia has a similar incidence to MS; 1/50,000 people. It is most common in people aged 65-74 years. Genetic and environmental factors can both play a role in the development of this disease. Without treatment, 85 per cent of patients with vasculitis currently die within five years. Even with treatment, kidney failure and other organ damage can occur.

What are the symptoms?

ANCA vasculitis varies in severity and may result in inflammation in a number of organ systems. Fever, joint aches, skin rash, and fatigue are common symptoms. There may also be involvement of the eyes, sinuses, gastrointestinal tract and nervous system. Bleeding into the lungs, called pulmonary haemorrhage, and kidney involvement, called ANCA associated glomerulonephritis, are the most severe manifestations and may be life threatening.

Treatment of vasculitis

The exact treatment of vasculitis depends on its severity and the organ system involved. Left untreated, severe vasculitis results in very poor outcomes. Current treatment options for severe vasculitis are medications that suppress the immune system like glucocorticoid (steroids), and rituximab cyclophosphamide, which supress the immune system and therefore aim to improve the autoimmune inflammation. However, these medications are non-specific and can associated with side effects, most prominently an increased risk of infection and the effects of steroids on other parts of the body.

Vasculitis resources

For more information we recommend these resources: