Study summary

A complement-blocking pill replaced most steroids and kept more people in remission

ADVOCATE trial, rituximab group · 214 people, phase 3 analysis · Published January 2024, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases; FDA approved 2021

71.0%in sustained remission at week 52, vs 56.1% with prednisone

What was tested

Avacopan, a pill that blocks the C5a receptor that draws inflammatory cells into blood vessels, in place of a prednisone taper, for people with ANCA vasculitis also receiving rituximab.

What they found

Remission at week 26 was similar (77.6% vs 75.7%).
Sustained remission at week 52 was higher: 71.0% vs 56.1%.
Kidney recovery was better and steroid side effects lower.

What it means

Supports largely steroid-free treatment, with better kidney outcomes.

Ann Rheum Dis, via PubMed ↗ ← Back to the outlook

Last reviewed 2026-11-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.