RareWays is a research directory. It helps you understand the science. It is not medical advice. Always discuss your care options with your healthcare team.
Coverage: 2020-01-01 onwards, with up to 300 results per query from PubMed and Europe PMC and separate limits on other sources. This is a selected index, not a complete literature search.
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Giant Cell Arteritis: Research Summary
Printed from RareWays (rareways.org)
For general awareness only. Not medical advice. Discuss all care options with your healthcare team.
5 Most Recent Research Articles
- 1.
Wide-angled proteomics in giant cell arteritis reveals complement pathway activation
Benjamin J. Whittle et al., medRxiv (15 October 2026)
https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.10.14.26365544
- 2.
Beyond disease labels: towards a stratified spectrum model for giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
Abu-Zaid Mohammed Hassan, Rheumatology (Oxford, England) (15 October 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42879722/
- 3.
Jaw Claudication Progressing to Scalp and Tongue Necrosis in Giant Cell Arteritis.
Ghebrial Monica et al., The Journal of rheumatology (15 October 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42880893/
- 4.
Glucocorticoid prescribing and cardiovascular risk in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis: analysis of routinely collected primary care data from the North of England
Katrina Z Freimane et al., Rheumatology Advances in Practice (14 October 2026)
https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkag123
- 5.
Therapeutic divergence between polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis: lessons from IL-17A inhibition.
Leiva-Murillo Enmanuel A et al., Clinical and experimental rheumatology (14 October 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42873700/
Clinical Trials : Australian Sites
Ask your doctor whether you or your child may be eligible for any of these trials. Each has its ID and full eligibility criteria at the link shown.
- 1.
Phase III Study of Efficacy and Safety of Secukinumab Versus Placebo, in Combination With Glucocorticoid Taper Regimen, in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
NCT04930094 · Completed · Phase 3 · Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Ages 50 to 100
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04930094
- 2.
A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Participants With Giant Cell Arteritis
NCT03725202 · Completed · Phase 3 · AbbVie
Ages 50 and over
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03725202
- 3.
Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Sarilumab in Patients With GCA
NCT03600805 · TERMINATED · Phase 3 · Sanofi
Ages 50 and over
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03600805
- 4.
KPL-301 for Subjects With Giant Cell Arteritis
NCT03827018 · Completed · Phase 2 · Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
Ages 50 to 85
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03827018
- 5.
A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Abatacept With Steroid Treatment Compared to Steroid Treatment Alone in Adults With Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
NCT03192969 · WITHDRAWN · Phase 3 · Bristol-Myers Squibb
Ages 50 and over
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03192969
Source: RareWays research directory. Data from PubMed, Europe PMC, OpenAlex, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Always verify information with your healthcare team before making any decisions about your care.
Giant Cell Arteritis
Giant cell arteritis is a rare condition in which the large blood vessels, especially those in the scalp and head, become inflamed. It mostly affects people over 50 and can cause headache, jaw pain and scalp tenderness. Without prompt treatment it can lead to vision loss or stroke. Treatment is with corticosteroids, often alongside other immune-modulating medicines.
This overview is general information, not an individual medical assessment. Research is selected automatically and may include mismatches. How we select and explain research.
Most Recent Research
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immune-mediated vasculitis that can cause serious morbidity including sight loss, stroke and aortic aneurysm. There is an unmet need for blood-based biomarkers and novel therapeutics. We measured plasma protein levels using the SomaScan v4.1 platform, comprising 7,273 protein measurements (SOMAmers) reflecting 6,596 unique protein targets. We profiled the proteome in 113 patients who presented acutely with possible GCA. 56 had biopsy-proven GCA and 57 did not have GCA (non-GCA). We found 144 SOMAmers increased and 151 reduced in GCA. Dysregulated biological pathways included IL6-JAK-STAT3 signalling, chemokines for both myeloid (e.g. CXCL2, CXCL3, CCL18, CCL23) and lymphoid cells (e.g. CXCL9, CXCL13), and the complement system (e.g. C9, CFHR5, C5a, Factor B). Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs) confirmed elevated plasma levels of C5a, the terminal complement complex, Factor B and CFHR5 in GCA. We developed a 26-protein signature that distinguished GCA from non-GCA (area-under-the curve, AUC, 0.93) and validated the diagnostic signature in external datasets. Our data implicate terminal complement pathway activation in GCA, raising the possibility of complement-directed therapies. We show proof-of-principle that a multiplex protein biomarker could be used as a diagnostic adjunct in suspected GCA.
Common Questions
What is Giant Cell Arteritis?
Giant cell arteritis is a rare condition in which the large blood vessels, especially those in the scalp and head, become inflamed. It mostly affects people over 50 and can cause headache, jaw pain and scalp tenderness. Without prompt treatment it can lead to vision loss or stroke. Treatment is with corticosteroids, often alongside other immune-modulating medicines.
How many clinical trials are available for Giant Cell Arteritis?
RareWays currently indexes 61 clinical trials for Giant Cell Arteritis, of which 9 are actively recruiting. These counts cover indexed trials across countries, not just your country. An Australian site does not necessarily mean that site is recruiting. Check locations, eligibility and current availability with the study team.
Where does the research data for Giant Cell Arteritis come from?
RareWays aggregates research from PubMed, Europe PMC, OpenAlex, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Data is refreshed automatically every day. All articles and trials link directly to their original sources.
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