Cheaper drug could rival expensive biologic for rare artery disease

NCT ID NCT03892785

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This Phase 3 trial compares two drugs—methotrexate and tocilizumab—for treating giant cell arteritis, a condition that causes inflammation in large arteries. Both drugs are given alongside a tapering course of prednisone. The goal is to see if methotrexate, a cheaper and easier-to-monitor drug, works as well as tocilizumab at preventing relapses. The study involves 230 adults aged 50 and older.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Methotrexate and tocilizumab
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that methotrexate works as well as tocilizumab for controlling giant cell arteritis, offering a cheaper and easier-to-monitor treatment option.
What could go wrong: This is a Phase 3 trial, but results may show methotrexate is less effective or has more side effects. Relapse after stopping either drug is still possible.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Giant Cell Arteritis temporal arteritis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

CHU de Dijon

Dijon, 21079, France

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