To speed the development of tocilizumab to treat giant cell arteritis (GCA), the FDA designated it as a breakthrough therapy earlier this month…
New Large-Vessel Vasculitis Therapies Emerge, but Better Options Still Needed
LONDON—New therapies are emerging for the two main forms of large-vessel vasculitis, giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu’s arteritis—particularly biologic therapies. But for just about every available treatment gap, drawbacks or limited evidence remain, with the results needing to be borne out in larger trials, an expert said at the Annual Congress of the European…
Research in Temporal Arteritis Suggests Link with Infection, Autoimmune Disease
Temporal arteritis was first described by Sir Jonathan Hutchinson in 1890 in an elderly retired gentleman’s servant who developed red, painful streaks on his temples and was found to have bilaterally swollen temporal arteries with feeble pulses.1 Sir Hutchinson disputed the suggestion that the red streaks were caused by the man’s hat and, instead, called…
Varicella Zoster Virus May Cause Giant Cell Arteritis
Researchers have recently discovered a connection between the varicella zoster virus infection, which causes chicken pox and shingles, and giant cell arteritis…
Are Solar Flares an Overlooked Factor in Autoimmune Disease?
New research by physicists from Johns Hopkins University explores the correlation between the sun’s geomagnetic activity and the incidence of giant cell arteritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including geographic latitudes that put residents at highest risk.
Infliximab, Tocilizumab Can Help in Large Vessel Vasculitis
Case studies show some patients with LVV can achieve remission after treatment with biological agents
Giant Cell Arteritis Challenging to Diagnose, Manage
Common form of primary vasculitis difficult to identify, treat, but latest research suggests potential new therapeutic targets
Diagnose, Manage and Treat Giant Cell Arteritis
A rheumatologist at the California Rheumatology Alliance 10th Annual Medical & Scientific Meeting in San Francisco shares research findings on this inflammatory blood vessel disease
Fellow’s Forum Case Report: Takayasu’s Arteritis
How this rare form of large-vessel vasculitis affects different portions, branches of aorta and ways to diagnose, treat and manage the disease
Research Into Causes of Systemic Vasculitis May Lead to Targeted Treatments Say Rheumatologists at the 2013 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Studies focused on role of the immune system in disease development, and contributing genetic and environmental factors, may elicit better therapeutic approaches to small- and large-vessel vasculitis