| Summary: | Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) belong to a group of rare autoimmune diseases called anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration leading to necrosis of the blood vessels. 1,2 Treatment of GPA and MPA includes remission induction and remission maintenance. Currently, rituximab, a monoclonal antibody, is one of the therapeutic options approved for the induction phase.1,3,4 Recently, a number of uncontrolled studies have suggested that rituximab can also be of value in maintaining remission. 5-10 This Rapid Response report aims to review the clinical effectiveness of rituximab compared to other immunosuppressive drugs. Cost-effectiveness and evidence-based guidelines regarding the use of rituximab for patients with GPA and MPA will also be examined. This review is an update of a previous CADTH review that found no evidence on the comparative clinical effectiveness of rituximab for remission maintenance in patients with GPA and MPA.11
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