[Challenges and perspectives for the treatment of giant cell arteritis]
Céline Schweri1, Michele Iudici1
1Service de rhumatologie, Département de médecine, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 1211 Genève 14.
Insights
Early diagnosis and treatment are key for giant cell arteritis (GCA). Current guidelines emphasize imaging and standard treatments like corticosteroids and tocilizumab, with new therapies under investigation.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Vascular Medicine
Abstract:
Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment are crucial to avoid severe complications in giant cell arteritis (GCA). The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis have helped better define the role of different techniques for diagnosing and monitoring the disease. Regarding the treatment, corticosteroids remain the standard, and tocilizumab is the preferred corticosteroid-sparing treatment. New corticosteroid-sparing treatments and "ultra-light" corticosteroid usage regimens are also under study and could represent valid therapeutic alternatives in the future.
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