Giant Cell Arteritis: Practical Pearls and Updates

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to summarize recent updates and distill practical points from the literature which can be applied to the care of patients with suspected and confirmed giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Recent Findings

Contemporary thinking implicates a fundamental failure of T regulatory cell function in GCA pathophysiology, representing opportunity for novel therapeutic avenues. Tocilizumab has become the first Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for GCA following demonstration of efficacy and safety in a phase 3 clinical trial.

Summary

There have been significant parallel advances in both our understanding of GCA pathophysiology and treatment. Tocilizumab, and other agents currently under investigation in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, presents a new horizon of hope for both disease remission and avoidance of glucocorticoid-related complications.

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