Targeted immunotherapy is substantially improving the management of ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV), which include granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener's granulomatosis), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA, Churg-Strauss syndrome).
A systematic review was conducted on the lines of the PRISMA statement for conducting systemic reviews: PubMed (inception of PubMed until 30 April 2017, English language only) and EmBase databases were searched using the following terms: 'pregnancy' AND 'ANCA associated vasculitis' OR 'granulomatosis with polyangiitis' OR 'eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis' OR 'microscopic polyangiitis' OR 'Churg-Strauss syndrome' OR 'Wegener's granulomatosis'.
In humans, BLyS overexpression is common in patients with several rheumatic diseases, including SLE, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma, Wegener's granulomatosis, and ANCA-associated vasculitis.