On 2017 Aug 17, NephJC - Nephrology Journal Club commented:

This randomised controlled trial of the C5a Receptor Inhibitor Avacopan in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis., was discussed on May 8th and 9th 2017 on #NephJC, the open online nephrology journal club. Introductory comments written by Tom Oates are available at the NephJC website here

There was significant interest in this promising trial, with 141 participants in the discussion and nearly 700 tweets.

The highlights of the tweetchat were:

• There is a lot of concern in the Nephrology community about the long-term side-effects of steroid use in ANCA vasculitis and that an alternative agent that would allow for lower glucocorticoid exposure would be very welcome.

• Overall, it was thought to be a well-designed and well-conducted trial.

• The chosen primary endpoint, a decrease in Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score of 50% or more, was hotly debated. Although very frequently used in vasculitis research, using observed changes from baseline as a trial endpoint in a parallel group study may render it a less valid tool.

• The group also questioned whether vaccination would be required with Avacopan however decided that it wouldn’t because it's a receptor blocker unlike Eculizumab which is a complement cleavage inhibitor.

• The treatment response to Avacopan without steroids was excellent and it appears to be a safe drug. We look forward to seeing results of the Phase III studies and some long-term data regarding relapse rates in the absence of steroids.

Transcripts of the tweetchats, and curated versions as storify are available from the NephJC website.

Interested individuals can track and join in the conversation by following @NephJC or #NephJC on twitter, liking @NephJC on facebook, signing up for the mailing list, or just visit the webpage at NephJC.com.

On 2017 Aug 17, NephJC - Nephrology Journal Club commented:

This randomised controlled trial of the C5a Receptor Inhibitor Avacopan in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis., was discussed on May 8th and 9th 2017 on #NephJC, the open online nephrology journal club. Introductory comments written by Tom Oates are available at the NephJC website here

There was significant interest in this promising trial, with 141 participants in the discussion and nearly 700 tweets.

The highlights of the tweetchat were:

• There is a lot of concern in the Nephrology community about the long-term side-effects of steroid use in ANCA vasculitis and that an alternative agent that would allow for lower glucocorticoid exposure would be very welcome.

• Overall, it was thought to be a well-designed and well-conducted trial.

• The chosen primary endpoint, a decrease in Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score of 50% or more, was hotly debated. Although very frequently used in vasculitis research, using observed changes from baseline as a trial endpoint in a parallel group study may render it a less valid tool.

• The group also questioned whether vaccination would be required with Avacopan however decided that it wouldn’t because it's a receptor blocker unlike Eculizumab which is a complement cleavage inhibitor.

• The treatment response to Avacopan without steroids was excellent and it appears to be a safe drug. We look forward to seeing results of the Phase III studies and some long-term data regarding relapse rates in the absence of steroids.

Transcripts of the tweetchats, and curated versions as storify are available from the NephJC website.

Interested individuals can track and join in the conversation by following @NephJC or #NephJC on twitter, liking @NephJC on facebook, signing up for the mailing list, or just visit the webpage at NephJC.com.