Ongoing Studies in Canada
Summary of ongoing and recruiting studies in Canadian centres.
Studies Led by CanVasc Members
PRO-TOOTH-VASC — Patient-Reported Outcomes and Oral Health in Patients with Vasculitis Study
All types of vasculitis
The CanVasc Registry
All types of vasculitis
The CanVasc Registry (CanVascR) is a national, multi-center initiative aiming to describe real-world treatment outcomes and identify predictors of response in patients with different types of vasculitis, with the overall goal of improving care and outcomes of patients with all types of systemic vasculitis.
Long-term, detailed data collection (>1,500 variables) includes participant demographics, comorbidities, reproductive health, disease manifestations, investigations, treatments, adverse events, and outcomes — including validated disease activity and damage scores and patient-reported outcomes.
The Lawson Research Institute in London serves as the lead coordinating site, housing the secure REDCap-based CanVascR database and providing the technical infrastructure, and ethics compliance, as well as overseeing data governance and quality control across all participating centers.
Study participants are enrolled from specialized vasculitis centers across the country, where they are assessed and followed as part of routine clinical care. Data is collected both retrospectively and prospectively with flexibility for remote data collection to ensure accessibility. To date, 650 participants have been enrolled in the study.
Participating Centres:
- Lawson Research Institute / Western University (London)
- University of Calgary
- University of Alberta (Edmonton)
- Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto)
- St. Joseph's Healthcare (Hamilton)
- University of British Columbia (Vancouver)
- Health Sciences Centre (Winnipeg)
- University of Sherbrooke
- Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (Montreal)
- McGill University Health Centre (Montreal)
- University of Montreal
- Ottawa Hospital – Riverside Campus
- Trois-Rivières (Quebec)
- The Waterside Clinic (Orillia)
CaRAvAN — Canadian Registry of Avacopan for ANCA Vasculitis
ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (AAV)
Observational real-world study using data from the CanVasc registry to describe the characteristics and outcomes in AAV patients treated with avacopan in Canada. This study is partially supported by Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA) Rare Diseases Registry Funding and Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical Inc.
SONIC-GCA — Sonographic Assessment of the Optic Nerve Sheath in Giant Cell Arteritis
GCA
A prospective, multicenter Canadian diagnostic and longitudinal cohort study evaluating optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by ultrasound as a novel tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of giant cell arteritis (GCA). The study integrates standardized imaging, clinical assessment, and biomarker data over 24 months to determine diagnostic accuracy and responsiveness to treatment.
SONIC-TIME — Temporal Dynamics of ONSD After Glucocorticoid Therapy
GCA
A substudy of SONIC-GCA designed to characterize the early temporal changes in optic nerve sheath diameter following initiation of glucocorticoid therapy in GCA. This project aims to define the kinetics of ONSD normalization and its correlation with clinical and inflammatory remission, providing insights into treatment response and biomarker validity.
ATOM-GCA Pilot — Applanation Tonometry of Temporal Arteries in GCA
GCA
A pilot feasibility study evaluating the use of applanation tonometry to measure pulse wave velocity (PWV) of temporal arteries as an innovative, non-invasive diagnostic tool in GCA. The study aims to assess feasibility, reproducibility, and preliminary diagnostic performance compared to standard imaging modalities.
CanVasc Large Vessel Vasculitis (LVV) Guideline Development
GCA and TAK
A national initiative led through the Canadian Vasculitis Research Network (CanVasc) to develop evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of large-vessel vasculitis, including GCA and Takayasu arteritis. The project uses GRADE methodology, Delphi consensus processes, and strong patient-partner engagement.
GALANT — Glucocorticoids or Avacopan in peopLe with high-risk renal Anti-Neutrophil cytoplasm antibody associated vasculitis Trial
Renal AAV
Planned pilot randomized trial evaluating avacopan in ANCA-associated vasculitis with renal involvement.
Other Studies
I-TRANSCEND — Phase 2 Trial of Taperprumig in GPA and MPA
GPA and MPA
A phase 2 clinical trial assessing taperprumig, a novel targeted therapy, in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). The study evaluates safety, efficacy, and its potential to reduce glucocorticoid exposure, with emphasis on remission rates and relapse prevention.
PACNS VCRC Registry — Primary Angiitis of the Central Nervous System
Primary Angiitis of the CNS
Participation in the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC) registry focused on primary CNS vasculitis (PACNS). This project aims to better characterize disease phenotypes, treatment patterns, and outcomes through multicenter longitudinal data collection.
CLAUDICALTIO — AI-Assisted Temporal Artery Ultrasound (Multicenter, International)
GCA
A multicenter, international translational research project aimed at developing and validating an artificial intelligence algorithm to standardize the acquisition and interpretation of temporal artery ultrasound in GCA. The study leverages large, diverse datasets across centers to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce operator dependency, and facilitate global scalability of ultrasound-based diagnosis.
VALHALLA — Clinical–Ultrasound Score Validation in GCA (Multicenter, International)
GCA
A multicenter, international study designed to validate a novel composite scoring system integrating clinical features and ultrasound findings for the diagnosis of GCA. The project aims to establish a robust, externally validated tool to enhance early diagnosis, risk stratification, and clinical decision-making across diverse healthcare settings.
BRAVO (originator vs biosimilar cohort)
GPA or MPA on Rituximab