New treatment for giant cell arteritis shows promise

Phase 3 results show tocilizumab (Actemra) can help sustain remission in giant cell arteritis (GCA), advancing what may be the first new treatment for the condition in 50 years.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted by Genentech evaluated tocilizumab in combination with a 6-month steroid regimen. At 1 year, treated patients were less likely to show signs of relapse compared with the placebo group treated with a steroid-only regimen. Genentech plans to apply for FDA approval soon.

"Currently, long-term high-dose steroids are the mainstay treatment for GCA but they can cause their own serious adverse effects, said Sandra Horning, MD, Chief Medical Officer and head of Global Product Development. If approved, Actemra will provide an important new alternative to long-term steroid use for people with GCA."

Tocilizumab is the first humanized interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have used one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate, that did not provide enough relief.