C5a Receptor Inhibition With Avacopan: A Novel Treatment Approach for ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in small to medium-sized blood vessels, often involving the kidney. The activation of C5a in the alternative complement pathway mediates many important pro-inflammatory processes in the development of AAV. Avacopan, a selective antagonist of the C5a receptor, blocks C5a-mediated neutrophil activation and migration. These are two important steps in the destruction of the vascular endothelium.