Maintenance of Remission After Tocilizumab Withdrawal in Patients With Glucocorticoid-Dependent Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The SEMAPHORE trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment in patients with glucocorticoid (GC)-dependent polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). TCZ reduced GC dose and disease activity at week 24. This study aimed to assess relapse rates after stopping TCZ treatment in patients achieving remission at week 24.

Methods

In the randomized study, 101 patients received intravenous TCZ (8 mg/kg) or placebo for 24 weeks. Of the 49 patients treated with TCZ, 33 achieved the primary outcome (PMR activity score <10 and GC dose reduction of ≤5 mg/day or ≥10 mg). All 33 patients except one stopped TCZ treatment at week 24 and completed a visit at week 32, with optional follow-up visits every eight weeks until week 48. Relapse was defined as the failure of the

SUBMITTER: Chevet B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12479178 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature