Treatment for Giant Cell Arteritis With Tocilizumab and 8 as Compared to 26 Weeks of Prednisone

Treatment for Giant Cell Arteritis With Tocilizumab and 8 as Compared to 26 Weeks of Prednisone: a Randomized, Multicenter, Adaptive, Blinded, Phase III Study

The GISCO study plans to determine whether 8-week therapy is just as effective as 26-week cortisone therapy for treating giant cell arteritis

• with tocilizumab,
• while using less cortisone.

The aim of this randomized clinical trial investigates whether 1) a shortened GC 8-week regimen is as effective as the current 26-week regimen and 2) associated with less GC exposure when introducing a GC-sparing agent in the treatment of GCA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with giant cell arteritis
• Start of tocilizumab treatment at baseline as part of routine clinical practice
• Receive ≥ 20 mg/day prednisone (or equivalent) at baseline
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Treated with any investigational drug of chemical or biologic nature within a minimum of 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to the first dose of tocilizumab.