FDA approves first specific treatment for giant cell arteritis

The Food and Drug Administration has approved subcutaneous tocilizumab (Actemra) for the treatment of giant cell arteritis, according to a May 22 announcement from the agency.

Giant cell arteritis is a type of vasculitis that inflames blood vessels in the head, causing arteries to narrow or become irregular. The temporal arteries are the most commonly affected blood vessels, but giant cell arteritis can also affect other large blood vessels such as the aorta. Tocilizumab is the first drug specifically intended to treat giant cell arteritis. The standard treatment has typically been high doses of corticosteroids, tapered over time.

The FDA’s approval of tocilizumab was based on results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 251 patients with giant cell arteritis. After 1 year, patients who received tocilizumab and tapered prednisone achieved remission at a higher rate than did patients who received placebo and tapered prednisone. Safety was consistent with tocilizumab’s known safety profile.

Subcutaneous tocilizumab is also approved for moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. The intravenous formulation is approved for the treatment of moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

The FDA granted both Breakthrough Therapy and Priority Review designations to this supplemental new drug application of tocilizumab.

lfranki@frontlinemedcom.com