ANCA-associated vasculitides

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides are a group of potentially fatal necrotizing vasculitides. The two main ANCA-associated vasculitides are granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. These autoimmune diseases affect the kidneys, lungs, upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes and peripheral nerves. In this review, we review the current state of knowledge on the two main ANCA-associated vasculitides, covering pathological mechanisms, diagnosis and management. The advent of biologics has profoundly altered management, and the comorbidities associated with the disease and the cytotoxic treatments previously used.