Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody associated vasculitis

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody associated vasculitides are autoimmune diseases that require treatment with powerful immunosuppressants in order to avert life threatening complications, principally renal failure and lung haemorrhage. Their pathogenesis remains unclear but the circulating autoantibodies are almost certainly instrumental in mediating vascular inflammation. Recent insights into leukocyte-autoantibody interactions support this assertion and may direct future therapeutic strategies, perhaps circumventing some of the toxicity associated with currently used drugs.