Tocilizumab plus prednisone bested prednisone alone in giant cell arteritis remission rates

WASHINGTON — Tocilizumab plus a prednisone taper was associated with improved sustained remission rates compared with prednisone alone in a cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis, according to findings presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting.In a level 1 study, John H. Stone, MD, and colleagues aimed to assess tocilizumab for efficacy and safety in a cohort of 251 patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). There were four treatment groups: 50 patients treated with short-course prednisone (26-week prednisone taper plus weekly subcutaneous placebo); 50 patients who received (Read more...)

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