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TocilizuMab discontinuAtion in GIant Cell Arteritis
EU CTIS ID: 2023-505515-21-00
What this study is testing
After 26 weeks of follow-up, to compare the efficacy on relapse-free survival of immediate versus gradual discontinuation over 24 weeks of tocilizumab.
- Therapeutic confirmatory (Phase III)
A plain-language read of the study's public EU CTIS listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
You may be able to join if
- Written consent
- Treatment with corticoids stopped at least 12 weeks before randomization (hydrocortisone treatment ≤20 mg/day is possible if given at a stable dose for the duration of the study)
- Biological workup dating from less than 6 weeks on the day of randomization, showing good tolerance of tocilizumab: o AST and ALT < 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) o Hemoglobin >8 g/dL o Platelets >100 G/L o Neutrophils >1 G/L o Lymphocytes >0.5 G/L
- Diagnosis of GCA, defined by the following criteria: Age ≥50 years at diagnosis
- Diagnosis of GCA, defined by the following criteria: History of ESR ≥50 mm/h OR CRP ≥20 mg/L (optional criterion if temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is positive).
- Diagnosis of GCA, defined by the following criteria: at least one of the following clinical criteria: -At least one unequivocal sign of GCA (recent headache, scalp hyperesthesia, jaw claudication, temporal artery abnormality, visual disturbances of ischemic origin) -Clinical sign(s) of polymyalgia rheumatica (PR)
You likely can't join if
- Person who is not affiliated with the national health insurance system
- Any unstable or poorly controlled condition or disease, acute or chronic, not related to GCA, and considered a contraindication to tocilizumab therapy in the opinion of the investigator
- Person subject to a measure of legal protection (guardianship, tutorship)
- Neoplasia < 5 years, (except cervical cancer in situ and skin carcinoma, except melanoma, with R0 resection)
- Person subject to a court order
- Patient unable to give consent
See the full eligibility criteria
Who can join
- Written consent
- Treatment with corticoids stopped at least 12 weeks before randomization (hydrocortisone treatment ≤20 mg/day is possible if given at a stable dose for the duration of the study)
- Biological workup dating from less than 6 weeks on the day of randomization, showing good tolerance of tocilizumab: o AST and ALT < 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) o Hemoglobin >8 g/dL o Platelets >100 G/L o Neutrophils >1 G/L o Lymphocytes >0.5 G/L
- Diagnosis of GCA, defined by the following criteria: Age ≥50 years at diagnosis
- Diagnosis of GCA, defined by the following criteria: History of ESR ≥50 mm/h OR CRP ≥20 mg/L (optional criterion if temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is positive).
- Diagnosis of GCA, defined by the following criteria: at least one of the following clinical criteria: -At least one unequivocal sign of GCA (recent headache, scalp hyperesthesia, jaw claudication, temporal artery abnormality, visual disturbances of ischemic origin) -Clinical sign(s) of polymyalgia rheumatica (PR)
- Diagnosis of GCA, defined by the following criteria: at least one of the following criteria during GCA follow-up: -TAB consistent with the diagnosis of GCA (non-necrotizing vasculitis with a mononuclear cell-rich inflammatory infiltrate or presence of granulomas, with or without multinuclear giant cells) -Evidence of temporal artery vasculitis by echo-Doppler of the temporal arteries (unilateral or bilateral halo sign) -Evidence of vasculitis of at least one large vessel by imaging (o angio-CT or angio-MRI: arterial wall thickening (≥2mm for aorta; ≥1mm for supra-aortic trunks and upper extremity arteries, ≥0.6mm for the cephalic artery, ...) and/or T1-weighted contrast. - o PET: grade 2 or 3* hypermetabolism of the wall of at least one large vessel (aorta, supra-aortic trunks, cephalic vessels, upper extremity arteries) (*i.e., arterial SUVmax ≥ liver SUVmax))
- GCA in remission for at least 12 weeks before randomisation (remission = absence of symptoms due to GCA AND CRP ≤10 mg/L)
- TCZ treatment (IV or SC) or biosimilar initiated 12 to 36 months prior to randomization
- TCZ treatment (IV or SC) or biosimilar not interrupted more than 12 weeks in the 12 months prior to randomization
- Treatment with subcutaneous TCZ (162 mg/week) or biosimilar for at least 12 consecutive weeks prior to randomization
What rules you out
- Person who is not affiliated with the national health insurance system
- Any unstable or poorly controlled condition or disease, acute or chronic, not related to GCA, and considered a contraindication to tocilizumab therapy in the opinion of the investigator
- Person subject to a measure of legal protection (guardianship, tutorship)
- Neoplasia < 5 years, (except cervical cancer in situ and skin carcinoma, except melanoma, with R0 resection)
- Person subject to a court order
- Patient unable to give consent
- Person who does not speak French
- Pre-menopausal women (menopause = amenorrhea of more than 12 consecutive months)
- Uncontrolled psychotic state
- History of drug or alcohol intoxication requiring hospitalization within 12 months prior to randomization
- Recent or scheduled surgery within 6 months of randomization
- History of organ or hematopoietic marrow transplantation (except corneal transplantation performed at least 12 weeks prior to randomization)
- Primary or secondary immune deficiency
- Concomitant treatment with any of the following: - Methotrexate, leflunomide, cyclosporin A, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, Janus kinase inhibitors, abatacept, secukinumab, anti-TNF-α, anakinra, ustekinumab, or any other immunosuppressive drug within 12 weeks prior to randomization - Rituximab or other anti-CD20 agent within 1 year prior to randomization - Cyclophosphamide in the year prior to randomization
- History of long-term corticosteroid therapy for conditions other than GCA or PPR. (NB: dermocorticoids, inhaled corticosteroids, and corticosteroid joint infiltrations are allowed during the study)
- Patient who has previously received ≥3 courses of oral corticosteroids for a disease other than GCA or RRP within 6 months prior to randomization
- Ongoing anti-tuberculosis treatment at the time of randomization
- Infections: - Current viral hepatitis B or C - Ongoing HIV infection - Severe infection requiring hospitalization within 30 days prior to randomization
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The listing doesn't state an exact length. The study team walks you through the schedule and number of visits before you decide to enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 65+ years, 18-64 years. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from EU CTIS; the study team decides eligibility.