Unmet need in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis

For decades, aside from prednisone and the occasional use of immune suppressive drugs such as methotrexate, there was little to offer patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA). However, there is a great interest in various steroid sparing treatments in both these conditions. This paper aims to provide an overview of our current knowledge of PMR and GCA, examining their similarities and distinctions in terms of clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, with emphasis placed on reviewing recent and ongoing research efforts on emerging treatment. Multiple recent and ongoing clinical trials are demonstrating new therapeutics that will provide benefit and contribute to the evolution of clinical guidelines and standard of care for patients with GCA and/or PMR.