Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis affecting medium- and large-sized arteries — primarily the temporal arteries and aortic branches — almost exclusively in adults over 50. It causes headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, and carries a significant risk of sudden, permanent vision loss if untreated. It is closely related to polymyalgia rheumatica and requires prompt high-dose corticosteroid treatment.
What's actually going on in research
High-dose prednisone is the immediate treatment and is life-changing in reducing vision loss risk. Tocilizumab (IL-6 receptor inhibitor) is now FDA-approved as a glucocorticoid-sparing agent for GCA following a landmark trial showing it significantly reduces relapses. Trials are investigating other IL-6 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, IL-17 blockade, and CD28 costimulation blockers (abatacept) for their ability to achieve and maintain remission with less cumulative steroid exposure. Imaging-guided diagnosis and monitoring are also actively studied.
Tocilizumab and IL-6 pathway
Tocilizumab is now standard-of-care for GCA after approval, and sarilumab and other IL-6 pathway drugs are in trials to expand options and evaluate use in large-vessel GCA.
JAK inhibitors
JAK inhibitors including upadacitinib and baricitinib are in mid-phase trials for GCA, offering an oral alternative to injectable biologics that could simplify long-term steroid-sparing therapy.
Large-vessel GCA management
GCA affecting the aorta and its main branches carries distinct risks of aneurysm and dissection; trials are studying imaging surveillance and immunosuppression strategies specifically for large-vessel disease.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically requires confirmed GCA diagnosis (biopsy or imaging-based), active disease, and current or planned corticosteroid treatment.
What types of trials are currently open
- IL-6 inhibitor trials — Evaluating sarilumab and next-generation IL-6 blockers as alternatives or additions to tocilizumab in GCA.
- JAK inhibitor trials — Testing oral JAK inhibitors for remission maintenance and steroid-sparing in active GCA.
- Large-vessel disease trials — Studying immunosuppression and vascular monitoring strategies for aortic GCA manifestations.
- Vision loss prevention studies — Identifying risk factors and early treatment strategies to prevent ischemic optic neuropathy in GCA.
- Imaging-guided management trials — Using PET-CT and vascular ultrasound to guide treatment decisions and assess remission.
Recently added Giant Cell Arteritis trials
Share your health data to improve giant cell arteritis monitoring
Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis of medium- and large-sized arteries in older adults that may lead to serious vascular complications, including permanent vision loss and aortic aneurysm formation. Glucocorticoids are effective, but relapse during tapering is common and poses a major clinical challenge, potentially contributing to prolonged glucocorticoid exposure. Symptoms are often nonspecific and conventional inflammatory markers lack sufficient reliability, particularly in patients treated with drugs targeting the interleukin-6 pathway. Thus, this project aims to evaluate different tools assisting disease activity monitoring and/or predict future relapses and higher treatment requirements. Up to 175 patients with GCA in remission will be enrolled to ensure that 144 participants complete 1 year of follow-up. Participants undergo vascular ultrasonography, including double-blinded assessment at suspected relapse, complete patient-reported outcome measures, and provide biobank blood samples.
Sarilumab Efficacy and Safety in Adults With Early Polymyalgia Rheumatica
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, Phase 4, 3-group study to assess whether treatment with sarilumab at either 150 mg q2w (once every two weeks) or at 200 mg q2w, each given with a 52-week prednisone taper, is superior to placebo given with a 52-week prednisone taper in participants with early polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and to determine the safety and tolerability of the sarilumab regimens. The study will consist of the following visits: Visit 1 (D-42 to D-1): Screening, Visit 2 (D1): Baseline, randomization, first study drug administration, Visit 3 to 12 (Week 2 to Week 52): Treatment period, Visit 13 (Week 52): End of Treatment (EOT) visit, Visit 14 (Week 58): End of Study (EOS) visit.
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