ANCA-associated vasculitides: Pathogenetic aspects and current evidence-based therapy

A lot of progress has been made regarding the therapy of ANCA-associated vasculitides in the past decades. Cyclophosphamide still is standard therapy for remission induction in generalized disease, however, duration and cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide have been curtailed successfully to reduce toxicity. MTX is a safe alternative for remission induction in early systemic disease and medications available for remission maintenance have been extended. Rituximab and TNFalpha-antagonists represent promising options for refractory disease. The current evidence of therapy of ANCA-associated vasculitides is summarized in this review.