By Jason Springer, MD, MS
Chairman, Research Committee and Member, Vasculitis Foundation VF Board of Directors
The VF is funding three new research studies in 2018.
Every year we get proposals for very high-quality research from investigators who have a wealth of experience. These three studies were chosen from a selection of 20 applications submitted by investigators world-wide.
Study Selection Promotes Vasculitis Foundation’s Commitment to Research
A panel of consultants made up of international vasculitis specialists reviews each research application. The consultants give each application a score, which is used by the Research Committee to make recommendations to the Board of Directors of the Vasculitis Foundation to determine which research will be funded.
The VF Consultants, Research Committee and the Board of Directors all volunteer their time to make this process happen successfully. We want to thank all those who volunteered their time for this year’s review.
To date, the Vasculitis Foundation has funded more than $2.5 million dollars for 49 individual research studies including the three funded this year. It is amazing to see how much vasculitis research has grown. We would like to thank all the researchers for their dedication to understanding these devastating diseases.
Your Donations Fuel Vasculitis Foundation-Funded Vasculitis Research
In 2017 we saw exciting developments in vasculitis which are a direct result of generous funding to VF research.
In 2009, the Vasculitis Foundation funded $99,738.00 for two years to the Diagnostic and Classification Criteria in Vasculitis (DCVAS) study. This is the largest study done in vasculitis including centers throughout the world.
As a result of their work, the DCVAS group presented a new set of classification criteria for ANCA-associated vasculitis in November 2017 at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting. These criteria will be critical for use in future research studies.
Also, in 2017, the Vasculitis Foundation provided funding to A Randomized Multicenter Study for Isolated Skin Vasculitis (ARAMIS). This is the first randomized clinical trial to compare treatment options for skin limited vasculitis. The study is now recruiting at multiple vasculitis centers across North America.
Additionally, during 2017, the Vasculitis Patient-Powered Network (V-PPRN) provided the structure to support multiple studies including JOURNEY, V-PREG, VascWork and AAV-PRO.
We want to thank everyone who has enrolled, and participated, in the V-PPRN. We encourage everyone else to join at https://bit.ly/2IUn3rV.
This is an exciting era in vasculitis research. Many advancements in vasculitis research have been a result of funding provided by the Vasculitis Foundation. We are grateful for our many generous donors who have made this a reality.
