WEGENT - Comparison of Methotrexate or Azathioprine as Maintenance Therapy for ANCA-Associated Vasculitides

Summary

Remission of ANCA-associated vasculitis can be obtained in approximately 80% of the patients with a combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. However, relapses are frequent. This point warrants the prescription of a maintenance treatment with a less toxic immunosuppressant for several months to years. The optimal drug in this indication is not determine. We decided therefore to compare the 2 most used drugs in this indication. Induction therapy consists in the combination of corticosteroids and intravenous cyclophosphamide pulses. Corticotherapy consisted first in one daily methylprednisolone pulse, for 1 to 3 days, followed by oral prednisolone at the dose of 1 mg/kg/d for 3 weeks, then progressively tapered and stopped at the 18th month from the diagnosis. Cyclophosphamide is administered every 2 weeks for the first 3 bolus (0.6 g/m2 - D1, 15 and 30), then every 3 weeks (0.7 g/m2). Once remission is achieved, patients receive 3 additional bolus (0.7 g/m2). At that time, patients are randomized for a maintenance treatment with azathioprine (2 mg/kg/d, orally) or oral methotrexate (starting at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg/wk, then progressively increased every weeks by 2.5mg, if necessary, to a maximum and optimal dose of 25 mg/wk) for 12 months.

Timeline

Start

1999-01

Primary completion

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Completion

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Publications

• Pagnoux C, Mahr A, Hamidou MA, Boffa JJ, Ruivard M, Ducroix JP, Kyndt X, Lifermann F, Papo T, Lambert M, Le Noach J, Khellaf M, Merrien D, Puechal X, Vinzio S, Cohen P, Mouthon L, Cordier JF, Guillevin L; French Vasculitis Study Group. Azathioprine or methotrexate maintenance for ANCA-associated vasculitis. N Engl J Med. 2008 Dec 25;359(26):2790-803. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0802311.

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Indications