MEthotrexate versus TOcilizumab for treatment of Giant cell Arteritis (METOGiA trial): a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation 0891
Presenting author: M Samson (France)
Date: Monday 27th October 2025
This open-label study compared methotrexate versus tocilizumab in 230 patients with GCA and found – with a non-inferiority margin of 20%– that MTX was not non-inferior to TCZ regarding the primary endpoint (percentage of patients alive, without relapse after initial remission or deviation from the GC taper regimen from inclusion to W78). At week 52, results suggest that TCZ is more effective than MTX in maintaining remission.
Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Giant Cell Arteritis: 2-Year Results From the Re-Randomized, Double-Blind SELECT-GCA Phase 3 Trial
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation 0776
Presenting author: W Schmidt (Germany)
Date: Sunday 27th October 2025
This study reports the 2-year outcomes of the SELECT-GCA trial. 118 patients were re-randomized. No patient on continued UPA in period 2 discontinued due to inefficacy. 67.3% of patients on continuous UPA15 maintained remission vs 28.6% who switched from UPA15 to placebo. Cumulative GC exposure from week 52 to 104 was lower in patients who remained on UPA15 (approx. 1g).
Maintenance of remission with rituximab versus azathioprine in newly diagnosed or relapsing eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. A prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation 1765
Presenting author: X Puéchal (France)
Date: Tuesday 28th October 2025
This superiority trial compared rituximab with azathioprine as maintenance therapy in 98 EGPA patients in remission (BVAS 0) after induction. All received a standardized prednisone taper and were randomized to rituximab (4 × 500 mg every 6 months) or azathioprine (2 mg/kg/day) for 24 months. Rituximab was not superior to azathioprine in maintaining vasculitis remission (BVAS 0 with prednisone ≤7.5 mg/day) or in reducing asthma or rhinosinusitis exacerbations, and did not demonstrate greater glucocorticoid-sparing effects.
Clinical Impact of Incomplete B-cell Depletion in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Patients Receiving Maintenance Rituximab Therapy: a Retrospective Study
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation 1776
Presenting author: C Ricordi (Italy)
Date: Tuesday 28th October 2025
This retrospective single-center cohort study included 199 AAV patients (GPA/MPA) receiving rituximab 500 mg every 6 months as maintenance therapy, with CD19+ B-cell levels measured at each infusion. Twenty-one relapses occurred during maintenance and 30 after rituximab discontinuation. Incomplete B-cell depletion (CD19 >1/mm³) was seen in 29% at baseline and remained stable. CD19+ counts did not predict relapse during maintenance, but CD19+ at last infusion was associated with relapse risk, with CD19+ ≤5/mm³ linked to reduced risk.
Use of JAK inhibitors in patients with refractory Takayasu arteritis: A worldwide retrospective study
Abstract format and assignment number: Poster 1618
Date: Monday 27th October 2025
Presenting author: F Alibaz-Oner (Turkey)
This multicenter retrospective cohort study evaluated the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors (JAKi) in 25 patients with refractory Takayasu arteritis. Patients had previously failed cDMARDs and/or bDMARDs. Treatment with tofacitinib or upadacitinib for a median of 15.5 months led to remission (PGA) in 52% after a median of 4 months. At month 3, 35% achieved complete remission, with significant glucocorticoid dose reduction. Relapses occurred in 22% and JAKi were discontinued in 48%, mainly due to disease activity.
Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis highlighting differences with the idiopathic forms
Abstract format and assignment number: Poster 1097
Date: Monday 27th October 2025
Presenting author: E Hysa (Italy)
This systematic literature review and meta-analysis examined immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced PMR and GCA. Forty-six studies (358 patients) were included. ICI-PMR prevalence was 0.3% and showed male predominance, frequent PD1/PDL1 use, peripheral arthritis in 26%, and normal inflammatory markers in 26%. Glucocorticoids were effective in 83%; relapses occurred in 18%. ICI-GCA prevalence was 0.06%, with 23% visual loss and 62% large-vessel involvement. High-dose GCs permitted remission in 95%; relapses occurred in 19%. Both conditions may have distinct clinical profiles to idiopathic forms and may respond better to treatment.
Lisa Christ
Lisa is a physician and clinical scientist at the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, University Hospital, in Bern, Switzerland with research interests focusing on vasculitis, specifically giant cell arteritis, and Sjögren’s disease. She conducted the GUSTO trial, a proof-of-concept study in giant cell arteritis. Lisa is a founding member of the Vasculitis Association Switzerland (VASAS) and in the scientific commission of the Swiss Clinical Quality Management in Rheumatic Diseases Foundation (SCQM). She is a member of the EMEUNET Peer Mentoring Sub-Committee.