Therapeutic targets for giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immune-mediated form ofgranu-lomatous vasculitis affecting the aorta and medium and large arteries of the extracranial branches of the carotid artery. GCA is classified according to the blood vessels impacted as cra-nial (affecting the temporal, ophthalmic, posterior ciliary and vertebral arteries) or extracranial (also termed large-vessel GCA). Resulting inflammation of the arterial walls in GCA leads to luminal occlusion and tissue ischemia, which are responsi-ble for the clinical manifestations of GCA. Because of the risk of abrupt onset and severe complications, GCA is a medical emergency and treatment should be initiated immediately. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Other thera-peutic options include broad-spectrum immunosuppressants and anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies. Treatment regi-mens may cause significant adverse effects and therefore new targeting agents are needed. The search for effective treatment strategies for GCA continues, with research focusing on the identi-fication of novel targets for drug development. This article presents those drug targets thatare currentlyunderactive inves-tigation for the treatment of GCA.