NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant-cell arteritis (GCA) have similarly increased risks of fracture, compared with the general population, researchers have found. “It is of surprise that patients with GCA have a similar fracture risk to those with PMR,” Dr. Zoe Paskins from Keele University, in Staffordshire, told Reuters Health by…
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Tocilizumab Is Effective to Treat GCA
In a recent clinical trial, tocilizumab helped sustain glucocorticoid-free remission in patients with giant cell arteritis. Patients also received a prednisone taper, and 50% of tocilizumab-treated patients achieved prednisone-free remission and were less likely to experience disease flare compared with placebo…
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FDA Update: Romosozumab’s Uncertain Future; Plus Tocilizumab Approved for GCA
Due to possible heart-related side effects, romosozumab is no longer expected to be approved this year for the treatment of osteoporosis…
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FDA Considers Tocilizumab for GCA & Piclidenoson Enters Phase 3 Trial for RA, Psoriasis
The FDA is considering a supplemental biologics license application for tocilizumab to treat giant cell arteritis…
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GCA Relapse Possible When Discontinuing Tocilizumab
A recent study found that although patients with giant cell arteritis respond positively to long-term tocilizumab treatment, relapse may occur after discontinuing the medication…
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Tocilizumab Designated as Breakthrough Therapy for GCA
To speed the development of tocilizumab to treat giant cell arteritis (GCA), the FDA designated it as a breakthrough therapy earlier this month…
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