VCRC Longitudinal Studies and Patient Registry

Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC)

The VCRC was established in 2004 to address the challenges inherent in diagnosing and treating rare vasculitic diseases. Dr. Peter Merkel, of Boston University School of Medicine, is the Principal and Overall Lead Investigator for the VCRC, along with Co-Investigators from Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic.

The VCRC is conducting Longitudinal Studies (now enrolling patients) in different forms of vasculitis to identify biomarkers for disease risk, disease severity and activity, and clinical outcome. The VCRC is also planning to conduct experimental trials of new drugs for vasculitis.

The VCRC Patient Contact Registry is a method for patients with vasculitis to register themselves with the VCRC so that they will be notified of new clinical research studies conducted by the VCRC. The contact registry is free of charge and anonymous, and patients can register by using a paper form, by calling a toll-free number  866-313-9879 , or online by clicking “Join the VCRC Contact Registry” at http://rarediseasesnetwork.org/vcrc.

By taking action, patients can help researchers develop a better understanding about vascultis. Patients who participate in research make it possible for researchers to create new studies and to find new treatments.