New ways to manage vasculitis
B-cells are a type of white blood cells that can produce harmful auto-antibodies which attack the body tissue. This can lead to conditions such as vasculitis, when the immune system attacks blood vessels and it can be serious in some people.
Cambridge researchers have looked at the effect of depletion of B cells with a drug called Rituximab.
Through pilot and controlled studies, researchers have looked at the long-term benefit of Rituximab and how this drug would suit patients with vasculitis. This has led to rituximab being accepted into the NHS commission guidance and national guidelines.