Abstract
Giant cell arteritis is a systemic vasculitis characterized by the granulomatous involvement of large and medium-sized blood vessels of the aorta with predilection for the extracranial branches of the carotid artery. It is essential that when the disease is suspected immediate treatment with high doses of corticosteroids must be started.
From the conventional synthetic disease modifying drugs methotrexate is widely used, less then azathioprine, cyclosporine Aand cyclophosphamide with different results. In case of inefficacy or contraindication of these drugs several biologicals are recommended.
Monoclonal antibodies to interleukin-6 receptor and interleukin-12/23 inhibitors seem to be the most promising.