News and abstract of the month

This integrated analysis combines safety data from three pivotal clinical trials—two phase 2 (CLEAR and CLASSIC) and one phase 3 (ADVOCATE)—evaluating avacopan, an oral selective complement C5a receptor antagonist, in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV), specifically granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).

VASAS is now accepting funding applications. Take advantage of this opportunity to support vasculitis research and submit your application by 31 October 2025.

All information on eligibility, scope of funding and application procedure can be found on our details page.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial (BACHELOR) evaluated the efficacy and safety of baricitinib, a Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor, in patients with recent-onset polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) without initial use of oral glucocorticoids.

Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is a serious condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels, primarily affecting older adults. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss or stroke. Doctors often rely on two blood tests - ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - to help diagnose GCA, as these are typically elevated in active disease. However, some patients (about 4-15%) have only ESR or CRP elevated, and 1% have both normal despite having active vasculitis [2].

The aim is to find other EGPA patients via a short, (anonymous) survey and learn more about their needs and interests - especially with regard to the possible establishment of an EGPA patient group in Switzerland.

The management of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) remains challenging due to its relapsing nature, often requiring long-term therapy over years. Given the risks of refractory disease and glucocorticoid-related (GC) toxicity, safe and sustained GC-sparing strategies are essential.

On April 8, 2025, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved upadacitinip for the treatment of RCA (LINK: AbbVie Announces European Commission Approval of RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) for the Treatment of Adults with Giant Cell Arteritis - Apr 8, 2025), this extension of indication is based on the data from the SELECT-GCA study now also presented in the full publication.

Relaspes are frequent in ANCA-associated vasculitis. Strategies to individualize treatment to prevent relapses while not putting patients at unnecessary risk for infections or adverse events of treatments is an unmet need.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) requires urgent diagnosis and treatment because of the potential for vision loss. This manuscript describes a predictive tool (called the HAS-GCA score) to assess the post-test probability of GCA.

Kidney and lung involvement constitute key disease features and largely confer higher disease burden and mortality in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Lung biopsy is only performed in a minority of cases and diagnosis of lung involvement relies on clinical and imaging findings.

The complement pathway is critically involved in many autoimmune diseases including vasculitides. In a multinational effort, Triaille and colleagues studied the clinical manifestations and in vivo activation of the type 1 interferon pathway in twelve patients with hereditary C1q deficiency (C1QDef).