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Galli E, Muratore F, Warrington KJ. Current management of giant cell arteritis and its complications. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2024:00002281-990000000-00123. [PMID: 38920090 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000001029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW This review provides an update on current management strategies for giant cell arteritis (GCA), emphasizing the need for alternative therapies to reduce disease relapses and mitigate glucocorticoid (GC)-related morbidity. RECENT FINDINGS The standard of care for GCA has traditionally involved prolonged use of GC, and recent studies are exploring faster GC tapering regimens in an effort to reduce adverse effects while maintaining disease control. Randomized clinical trials have highlighted the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor, in reducing disease flares and sparing GCs. However, the optimal treatment duration with TCZ is unknown and patients remain at risk of relapse after treatment discontinuation. An unmet therapeutic need persists for patients who are not candidates for TCZ, and for those who have inadequate response to this biologic. Therefore, investigations into alternative therapies such as targeting interleukin-17A, blocking T-cell activation or inhibiting the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway, showcase potential avenues for tailored treatments. SUMMARY While GCs remain the cornerstone of therapy, TCZ emerges as a promising GC-sparing agent. Ongoing research targeting different pathways implicated in GCA pathogenesis have led to encouraging results. However, the preliminary nature of these findings necessitates larger randomized controlled trials to establish their efficacy conclusively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Galli
- Rheumatology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, ASST Settelaghi, Ospedale Di Circolo - Fondazione Macchi, Varese
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - Francesco Muratore
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Hemmig AK, Rottenburger C, Baruti L, Mensch N, Aschwanden M, Kyburz D, Pradella M, Staub D, Stegert M, Berger CT, Imfeld S, Sommer G, Daikeler T. Imaging to predict early relapses after treatment discontinuation in patients with large vessel giant cell arteritis - A cohort study. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2024; 66:152425. [PMID: 38442463 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2024.152425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the value of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting relapse after treatment discontinuation in patients with large-vessel giant cell arteritis (LV-GCA). METHODS This study included patients with LV-GCA whose treatment was discontinued between 2018 and 2023. All patients underwent PET/CT and/or MRI at the time of treatment discontinuation in clinical remission. Qualitative and quantitative PET/CT scores, by measuring standardized uptake values (SUV), and semiquantitative MRI scores of the aorta and supraaortic vessels were compared between patients who relapsed within 4 months after treatment discontinuation and those who did not. RESULTS Forty patients were included (median age 67.4 years, interquartile range (IQR) 60.8-74.0; 77.5 % females). Eleven patients (27.5 %) relapsed after treatment discontinuation (time to relapse 1.9 months, IQR 1.4-3.3). Patients who relapsed were comparable to those who remained in remission with respect to the presence of active vasculitis on MRI and/or PET/CT (54.5% vs. 58.6 %, p = 1.0), the number of segments with vasculitic findings on MRI (0, IQR 0.0-1.5, vs. 2, IQR 0.0-3.0, p = 0.221) or the highest SUV artery/liver ratio on PET/CT (1.5, IQR 1.4-1.6, vs. 1.3, IQR 1.2-1.6, p = 0.505). The median number of vasculitic segments on PET/CT was 2.5 (IQR 0.5-4.5) in those with vs. 0 (IQR 0.0-1.5, p = 0.085) in those without relapse, and the PET/CT scores 4.5 (IQR 0.75-8.25) vs. 0 (IQR 0.0-3.0, p = 0.172). CONCLUSION PET/CT or MRI at treatment stop did not predict relapse and may not be suited to guide treatment decisions in patients with LV-GCA in remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea K Hemmig
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Luan Baruti
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Noemi Mensch
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Aschwanden
- Department of Angiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Diego Kyburz
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maurice Pradella
- Department of Radiology, Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Staub
- Department of Angiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mihaela Stegert
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph T Berger
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; University Center for Immunology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Imfeld
- Department of Angiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gregor Sommer
- Institute for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Daikeler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; University Center for Immunology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Muratore F, Marvisi C, Castrignanò P, Croci S, Bonacini M, Boiardi L, Ricordi C, Galli E, Besutti G, Spaggiari L, Versari A, Giorgi Rossi P, Pipitone N, Salvarani C. Effectiveness and safety of a 26-week taper regimen of glucocorticoid in GCA patients: Results from a prospective cohort study. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2024; 64:152351. [PMID: 38142617 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2023.152351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and safety of the 26-week tapering regimen of glucocorticoids (GC) used in the GiACTA trial in a prospective cohort of treatment-naive, biopsy-proven GCA patients. METHODS Patients with a new diagnosis of biopsy-proven GCA enrolled in the GC arm of the START project (molecular stratification of patients with GCA to tailor GC and tocilizumab therapy) were included. All patients were treated with the 26-week taper regimen of GC used in the GiACTA trial. The primary endpoint was the rate of relapse-free remission at week 52. The secondary endpoints were the proportion of patients with incident aortic damage, cumulative GC doses and GC-related adverse events (AE). RESULTS 22 patients were included between December 2018 and February 2022. At week 52, 10 patients (45 %, 95 % CI 24-68) were in relapse-free remission. After a median (IQR) follow-up of 35 (22-40) months, 7 patients (32 %, 95 % CI 14-55) were in relapse-free remission. 18 patients with baseline large-vessel imaging underwent CT angiography at the end of the follow-up. No patients had evidence of new aortic dilation, significant progression of aortic damage or large vessel stenosis. 15/22 patients (68 %) had at least one relapse during follow-up. No patients developed visual or cerebrovascular manifestations during relapses. 15/22 (68 %) patients had at least one GC-related AE. CONCLUSIONS A 26 week taper regimen of GC was effective and safe in inducing and maintaining remission in a sizeable proportion of newly diagnosed GCA patients. However, the frequency of GC-related adverse events was high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Muratore
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Chiara Marvisi
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Castrignanò
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefania Croci
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Martina Bonacini
- Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Luigi Boiardi
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Caterina Ricordi
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Galli
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Besutti
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Radiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lucia Spaggiari
- Radiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Annibale Versari
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Paolo Giorgi Rossi
- Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Nicolò Pipitone
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Carlo Salvarani
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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