avacopan is a c5a receptor inhibitor used to treat ANCA vasculitis
- related: Allergy and Immunology
- tags: #literature #boards
- drug name: 1.avacopan
- mechanism of action: 2.C5a receptor antagonist
- used for: 2.ANCA vasculitis
Complement activation, and especially complement alternative pathway activation, has been shown to be a determinant in ANCA-associated vasculitis pathogenesis through C5a generation, which is a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils with priming capacities. In view of these results, targeting the C5a-mediated neutrophil activation by using the C5a receptor antagonist Avacopan has resulted in an effective therapeutic option as part of the induction of remission regimen.
Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant agent used for induction of remission of nonsevere ANCA-associated vasculitis; it works by inhibiting an enzyme known as dihydrofolic acid reductase, which is important for transforming an inactive form of folic acid into the active form, which is necessary for DNA production but has nothing to do with the alternative complement pathway.
Rituximab is used as an induction of remission agent in ANCA-associated vasculitis; it is a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD20 antigen expressed on the surface of pre-B and mature B-lymphocytes; therefore, conferring immunosuppression but not directly affecting the complement alternative pathway.
Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent used as an immunosuppressant for induction of remission in ANCA-associated vasculitis, it prevents cell division by cross-linking DNA strands and decreasing DNA synthesis but does not directly block the alternative complement pathway. (Answer D is incorrect.)1