Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Treatment Approaches and New Targets.

Prolonged glucocorticoid tapers have been the standard of care for giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), but recent advancements have improved outcomes for patients with GCA while reducing glucocorticoid-related toxicities. Many patients with GCA and PMR still experience persistent or relapsing disease, and cumulative exposure to glucocorticoids for both diseases remains high. The objective of this review is to define current treatment approaches as well as new therapeutic targets and strategies. Studies investigating inhibition of cytokine pathways, including interleukin-6, interleukin-17, interleukin-23, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, Janus kinase-signal transduction and activator of transcription, and others, will be reviewed.