An International, Open Label, Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Rituximab with Azathioprine as Maintenance Therapy in Relapsing ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

Vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels in your body. The exact cause is unknown, but we do know that it is an autoimmune condition. This means that your body’s own immune system, that normally fights infection, is overactive and is damaging your own blood vessels. Vasculitis can affect almost any part of the human body. Vasculitis can be very serious if left untreated. This study will investigate whether repeating rituximab really works well in stopping vasculitis returning and is better than the drugs usually used for this purpose-azathioprine or methotrexate. It will also tell us how long patients remain well after the repeated rituximab treatments are stopped, and whether repeated rituximab is safe. The trial results will help decide the best treatment for future patients who have their vasculitis initially treated with rituximab.