RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Need and value of targeted immunosuppressive therapy in giant cell arteritis
JF RMD Open
JO RMD Open
FD EULAR
SP e001652
DO 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001652
VO 8
IS 1
A1 Maria Sandovici
A1 Kornelis S M van der Geest
A1 Yannick van Sleen
A1 Elisabeth Brouwer
YR 2022
UL http://rmdopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e001652.abstract
AB Despite the heterogeneity of the giant cell arteritis (GCA) at the level of clinical manifestations and the cellular and molecular players involved in its pathogenesis, GCA is still treated with standardised regimens largely based on glucocorticoids (GC). Long-term use of high dosages of GC as required in GCA are associated with many clinically relevant side effects. In the recent years, the interleukin-6 receptor blocker tocilizumab has become available as the only registered targeted immunosuppressive agent in GCA. However, immunological heterogeneity may require different pathways to be targeted in order to achieve a clinical, immunological and vascular remission in GCA. The advances in the targeted blockade of various molecular pathways involved in other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases have catalyzed the research on targeted therapy in GCA. This article gives an overview of the studies with targeted immunosuppressive treatments in GCA, with a focus on their clinical value, including their effects at the level of vascular inflammation.