The GISCO study plans to determine whether 8-week therapy is just as effective as 26-week cortisone therapy for treating giant cell arteritis * with tocilizumab, * while using less cortisone.
The aim of this randomized clinical trial investigates whether 1) a shortened GC 8-week regimen is as effective as the current 26-week regimen and 2) associated with less GC exposure when introducing a GC-sparing agent in the treatment of GCA.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
178
Participant randomization to receive shortened (8 weeks) glucocorticoid taper upon initiation of a glucocorticoid-sparing agent.
Participant randomization to receive standard (26 weeks) glucocorticoid taper upon initiation of a glucocorticoid-sparing agent.
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University of Bern
Bern, Switzerland
Absence of a major relapse from randomization to 52 weeks
Composite endpoint. Pairwise comparisons of each patient from the control arm with each patient of the experimental arm.
Time frame: 52 weeks
Cumulative glucocorticoid exposure from randomization to 52 weeks
Composite endpoint. Pairwise comparisons of each patient from the control arm with each patient of the experimental arm.
Time frame: 52 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.