Upadacitinib for treating giant cell arteritis

Upadacitinib is currently in clinical development for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in adults aged 50 years and older. GCA is a disease of blood vessels where the arteries, particularly those in the neck and at the side of the head (the temples), become inflamed. Common symptoms include headaches with severe pain and tenderness, jaw pain, flu-like fever, and double vision. If left untreated, it can be very serious and cause strokes or blindness. Relapses of GCA are common, and occur in up to 50% of cases, despite appropriate treatment. Currently, there are limited treatment options for GCA, with the main option being steroids (glucocorticoids). However, there are often side effects from the long-term use of glucocorticoids such as skin problems, weight gain, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Also, glucocorticoids are not always effective in many patients, thus there is an unmet need for new treatment options to treat GCA, especially in patients who have relapsed and who are subject to excessive cumulative dosage of glucocorticoids.