Researcher Spotlight: Athan Tiliakos

What is your professional background?
I have been a faculty member in the Division of Rheumatology since 2010 and am based out of the Emory Clinic. My primary clinical interests are the Vasculitides (particularly the ANCA-Associated Vasculitides). My primary research interests involve clinical outcomes in the ANCA-Associated Vasculitides, and the ethical considerations of health rationing and access to medical care. I am originally from Atlanta, and after obtaining my undergraduate degree here at Emory, I traveled to Missouri for medical school and Pennsylvania for residency. I eventually came back to Emory for fellowship and have been here ever since.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I am currently in the Division of Rheumatology where our division director, Dr. Ignacio Sanz, has been my mentor.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
I am interested in the ANCA-Associated Vasculitides (AAV) and how treatment influences the disease recurrence. Rituximab (RTX) has changed the AAV treatment paradigm. However, not all patients with AAV are successfully induced or maintained with RTX. We are unable to predict who will respond to RTX induction. Predicting who relapses is also difficult. Traditional disease activity markers, such as ANCA titers and inflammatory markers have been shown to be unreliable at predicting disease recurrence in patients. Given the importance of B-cells in the pathogenesis of the AAV, it is important that we consider the potential use of B-cells as biomarkers of disease activity. In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), another antibody mediated disease, we can correlate disease phenotype and clinical outcomes to specific B-cell signatures. There is a paucity of data looking at B-cell signatures and how they correlate with disease phenotype and outcomes in AAV. In conjunction with the Lowance Center, we hope to look closer at these B-cell signatures and how they relate to disease outcomes.

What do you like most about Emory?
My favorite part of Emory is the diversity and complexity of the patient population, as well as the camaraderie that is shared among our colleagues in the Division of Rheumatology.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I suppose that my favorite TV program would be watching European soccer matches on Saturday mornings. British soccer is a wonderful way to start a Saturday morning!

What do you like to do in your spare time?
My wife and I have three children ages 13, 10, and 7. Prior to COVID-19, it seemed that our free time was spent chauffeuring the kids to various activities. I am also enrolled in the Laney Graduate School where I am pursuing a master’s degree in Bioethics. When I am not taking the kids to their activities, I enjoy reading, cooking, and rooting for the local sports teams.

What is a fun fact about you?
In another life, I would have loved to have been a professional soccer player in Italy!