Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 3, 2026

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
06:35

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis

Published on: February 8, 2019

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Treatment of giant cell arteritis: focus on upadacitinib

Wolfgang A Schmidt1

  • 1Rheumatology, Waldfriede Hospital, Rheumatology, Berlin, Germany.

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
|April 2, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Upadacitinib offers an effective oral treatment for giant cell arteritis (GCA), reducing steroid use and improving remission rates. Discontinuation may lead to rapid flares, highlighting the need for sustained therapy in managing this vasculitis.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most prevalent primary vasculitis, often necessitating prolonged high-dose glucocorticoid therapy.
  • Glucocorticoids in GCA treatment lead to significant cumulative exposure and associated toxicities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current treatment strategies for GCA, focusing on the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib.
  • To compare upadacitinib with established therapies like tocilizumab for GCA management.

Main Methods:

  • A structured PubMed literature search was performed using keywords: 'giant cell arteritis,' 'treatment,' and 'upadacitinib.'
  • Data from randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and conference abstracts were synthesized.

Main Results:

  • Upadacitinib demonstrated superior sustained remission rates and lower cumulative glucocorticoid doses compared to placebo in a Phase 3 trial.
  • Discontinuation of upadacitinib in patients achieving remission resulted in rapid disease flares.

Conclusions:

  • Upadacitinib is an effective oral alternative to tocilizumab for reducing glucocorticoid burden in GCA.
  • It is particularly beneficial for patients with relapsing GCA or those at high risk for glucocorticoid toxicity.
Abstract

Keywords:
Giant cell arteritisglucocorticoidsmethotrexatepolymyalgia rheumaticatocilizumabtreatmentupadacitinib

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