Objective: To report the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) for giant cell arteritis (GCA).
Methods: A retrospective multicenter study that included 34 patients receiving TCZ for GCA.
Results: TCZ was effective in all but 6 patients, who still had mild symptoms. Mean glucocorticoid dose was tapered. One patient died and 3 patients had to stop TCZ therapy because of severe adverse events. Twenty-three patients stopped treatment; 8 of these experienced relapses after a mean of 3.5 ± 1.3 months.
Conclusion: TCZ is effective in GCA. However, side effects occur. Whether this treatment has only a suspensive effect remains to be determined.
Keywords: BIOLOGICAL THERAPY; GIANT CELL ARTERITIS; LARGE-VESSEL VASCULITIS; TOCILIZUMAB.