Rituximab versus cyclophosphamide for ANCA-associated vasculitis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids have been the cornerstone of remission-induction therapy for severe antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis for 40 years. Uncontrolled studies suggest that rituximab is effective and may be safer than a cyclophosphamide-based regimen.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, noninferiority trial of rituximab (375 mg per square meter of body-surface area per week for 4 weeks) as compared with cyclophosphamide (2 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) for remission induction. Glucocorticoids were tapered off; the primary end point was remission of disease without the use of prednisone at 6 months.

Results

Nine centers enrolled 197 ANCA-positive patients with eith

SUBMITTER: Stone JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3137658 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature