Vasculitis research: Current trends and future perspectives

Abstract

We discuss recent and prospective research in small and large vessel vasculitis. Large cohorts of Takayasu arteritis (TA) have been recently published from across the world, clarifying our understanding of this uncommon disease. Novel open-ended approaches like large-scale genotyping, proteomics and metabolomics have helped gain novel insights into TA, giant cell arteritis (GCA) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Recent advances in the imaging of TA and GCA offer promise for earlier diagnosis and better monitoring of response to therapy. Although two randomized controlled trials of abatacept and tocilizumab failed to meet their primary end-points, successful large-scale studies of abatacept and tocilizumab in GCA hold promise for better disease control. While cyclophosphamide has revolutionized the management of AAV, increasing use of rituximab as an alternative induction regimen, as well as use of novel approaches involving reduced or no corticosteroid use for AAV and alternative agents such as avacopan (a complement 5a receptor antagonist) hold promise for lesser toxic induction regimens in the future. Increasingly, the risk of cardiovascular events and comorbidities such as osteoporosis are being recognized as factors affecting long-term prospects of patients with vasculitis. There is a shift in emphasis to utilize patient-reported outcomes to more accurately gauge the impact of vasculitides and their treatment.

Keywords: ANCA vasculitis; Takayasu arteritis; eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis; giant cell arteritis; granulomatosis with polyangiitis; microscopic polyangiitis.