Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
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Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Overview

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Learn About Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

What is the definition of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)?
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a form of vasculitis, a group of disorders that cause inflammation of blood vessels. GCA most commonly affects the arteries of the head (especially the temporal arteries, located on each side of the head), but arteries in other areas of the body can also become inflamed. The inflammation causes the arteries to narrow, resulting in poor blood flow. Symptoms when arteries in the head are involved may include a throbbing headache on one side or the back of the head, tenderness of the scalp, flu-like symptoms, and/or problems with eyesight. Symptoms when other arteries are involved depend on the location of those arteries. The cause of GCA is still being studied, but it is thought to involve the immune system mistakenly attacking the artery walls. Several genetic and environmental factors may increase a person's risk to develop GCA. GCA may develop with or after another inflammatory disorder known as polymyalgia rheumatica.
What are the alternative names for Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)?
  • Giant cell arteritis
  • Arteritis cranialis
  • Arteritis temporalis
  • Cranial arteritis
  • GCA
  • Horton's arteritis
  • Horton's giant cell arteritis
  • Horton's temporal arteritis
  • Horton’s disease
  • Horton’s syndrome
  • Temporal arteritis
Who are the top Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Local Doctors?
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Dr. Peter A. Merkel
Rheumatology
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Dr. Peter A. Merkel
Rheumatology

Perelman Center For Advanced Medicine

3400 Civic Center Boulevard, South Pavilion, 1st Floor, 
Philadelphia, PA 
215-662-2454
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients

Peter Merkel is a Rheumatologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Merkel is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). His top areas of expertise are Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, Vasculitis, Microscopic Polyangiitis, Takayasu Arteritis, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Merkel is currently accepting new patients.

Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Dr. Rennie Rhee
Rheumatology
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Dr. Rennie Rhee
Rheumatology

Penn Rheumatology Perelman

3400 Civic Center Boulevard, South Pavilion, 1st Floor, 
Philadelphia, PA 
215-662-2454
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Rennie Rhee is a Rheumatologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Rhee is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). Her top areas of expertise are Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, Vasculitis, Temporal Arteritis, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Rhee is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Miguel A. Gay-Gonzalez
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Miguel A. Gay-Gonzalez
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Miguel A. Gay-Gonzalez
Rheumatology Div, 
Santander And Univ. Of The Witwatersrand, ZA 

Miguel Gay-Gonzalez practices in Santander And Univ. Of The Witwatersrand, South Africa. Mr. Gay-Gonzalez is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). His top areas of expertise are Vasculitis, Temporal Arteritis, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), Lung Transplant, and Kidney Transplant.

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What are the latest Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Clinical Trials?
A Randomized Study of Tocilizumab Discontinuation for Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis in Remission (AGA01)
A Randomized Study of Tocilizumab Discontinuation for Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis in Remission (AGA01)
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 10, 2026
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: This is a multi-center, randomized, open label study that will assess the efficacy and safety of ACTEMRA(R) or one of its FDA-approved biosimilars Tocilizumab (TCZ) maintenance versus withdrawal in Giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients who are in remission after at least 12 months of high dose TCZ treatment. Eligible participants will also have discontinued glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone (or equi...

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A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Abatacept (CTLA4-Ig) in Giant Cell Arteritis (ABAGART)
A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Abatacept (CTLA4-Ig) in Giant Cell Arteritis (ABAGART)
Who is this study for: Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: January 23, 2026
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drug: Abatacept
Study Phase: Phase 3

Summary: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will seek to determine the efficacy of abatacept in GCA. To examine this objective, 62 eligible patients who have newly diagnosed or relapsing GCA within 8 weeks prior to screening will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous abatacept 125mg/week or placebo. Patients who achieve remission will remain on their blinded assignment f...

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Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 02, 2022
Published By: Genetic and Rare Diseases Informnation Center