Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42457217›Full record

ArticleRMD open2026

Real-world efficacy and safety of avacopan in ANCA-associated vasculitis: a retrospective comparative study.

Franz Thiele, Johanna Schneider, Eric Prager, Ilona Jandova, Björn C Frye, Reinhard E Voll, Markus A Schramm, Nils Venhoff

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in RMD open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Franz ThieleDepartment of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6689-8827
Johanna SchneiderDepartment of Medicine IV, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.
Eric PragerDepartment of Medicine IV, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.
Ilona JandovaDepartment of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.
Björn C FryeDepartment of Pneumology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.
Reinhard E VollDepartment of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.
Markus A Schramm *Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3513-3842
Nils Venhoff *Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany nils.venhoff@uniklinik-freiburg.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7729-2759

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesAvacopan, an oral C5a receptor antagonist, is approved for treatment of severe antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) in combination with rituximab or cyclophosphamide. This study evaluated its real-world efficacy, safety and glucocorticoid-sparing effects.

methodsThis retrospective single-centre study included 35 patients with new-onset or relapsing AAV treated with avacopan plus standard induction therapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide or both). Outcomes were compared with 70 matched controls receiving standard therapy. Primary endpoints were remission (Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS)=0, prednisolone ≤5 mg/day) at 6 and 12 months. Secondary endpoints included relapse, renal function, glucocorticoid exposure and adverse events.

resultsBaseline characteristics were generally comparable, although median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in the avacopan group (24 vs 49 mL/min). Induction therapy included rituximab (28%), cyclophosphamide (11%) or combination therapy (61%), reflecting severe disease. Remission rates were similar at 6 months (69% vs 68%) but tended to be higher with avacopan at 12 months (86% vs 68%; p=0.11). Relapses occurred less frequently with avacopan (16% vs 51%, p=0.003), including after treatment discontinuation. Avacopan was associated with accelerated glucocorticoid tapering (≤5 mg/day; 102 vs 164 days, p<0.001), lower cumulative doses (3266 vs 4288 mg, p=0.008) and greater renal function improvement (ΔeGFR+18 vs +7 mL/min after 1 year). Nine patients (26%) discontinued avacopan due to adverse events.

conclusionIn a real-world practice, avacopan was effective with an acceptable safety profile, enabling steroid sparing, improved renal recovery and reduced relapse rates, including in patients receiving combined induction therapy. Benefits persisted beyond 12 months, but prospective confirmation of these presumed long-term benefits is needed.

Indexed as

Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated VasculitisNipecotic AcidsAgedAniline CompoundsCyclophosphamideDrug Therapy, CombinationFemaleGlomerular Filtration RateGlucocorticoidsHumansImmunosuppressive AgentsMaleMiddle AgedReceptor, Anaphylatoxin C5aRecurrenceRemission InductionAniline CompoundsavacopanCyclophosphamideGlucocorticoidsImmunosuppressive AgentsNipecotic AcidsReceptor, Anaphylatoxin C5aRituximabANCA-associated vasculitisavacopancyclophosphamideglucocorticoid-sparingreal-worldrenal outcomerituximab

Identifiers

PMID42457217
PMCPMC13374406

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.