Study: 4 weeks of rituximad works as well as 18 mos. cyclophosphamide

A single four-week course of rituximab was as effective as 18 months of standard therapy with daily oral cyclophosphamide (CyP) and azathioprine (AZA) for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with severe anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). For either treatment, the number, rate, and severity of adverse events did not differ. ...

Full story from Renal & Urology News: Short-Course Rituximab Produces Long-Term Remissions of ANCA Vasculitis - Renal and Urology News

Great news! Whooya! :w00t:

Thanks marlo.

Seems to prove that it is a good alternative to CTX and perhaps does not carry the same long term risk. Also interesting was the 98% survival rate of the test group.

My rheumatologist told me on my last visit that the research was suggesting people treated initially with RTX seemed to be doing better in maintaining a remission than those who were treated otherwise. I was treated initially with RTX, then CTX, then azathioprine so hope I will get and keep a good remission for a long time. I could not have been in the study though due to being on mechanical ventilation and also having high creatine levels.

Such research as this is encouraging and hopefully will lead to much better results in the future and less complications.

I saw the same publication Marlo....we need to keep our wits about us to keep up with all treatment strategies for this disease. I am hoping for more in the future. MANY more!

Thanks for your input! Medscape: Medscape Access