TOC STOP research published

[Fran_Benson]

Recent research (V Quick et al) shows that for many GCA patients a one year course of tocilizumab isn't sufficient. The research isn't open access (available publicly) but we have permission to share this graphic from the publication which shows that for GCA patients prescribed a year's treatment of tocilizumab, 1/3 will relapse in the first year and 1/2 by 2 years. We want to see a change in the rules so that GCA patients have greater access to tocilizumab if they need it.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Thanks Fran...

[piglette]

What is happening about these findings, is anyone bringing it to the right people’s attention?

[Fran_Benson Partner in reply to piglette]

Yes. More on that soon.

[Niblick]

Thank you. Contact your MP and ask them to take up with the Health Minister. If enough of us do so they may take some notice

[Rugger]

Thanks Fran. It is more than time that the NHS made a decision that we GCA patients can be treated with TCZ in the same way as Rheumatoid Arthritis patients or those with Takayasu's. Let's hope that all the work and lobbying that is being done by the charity and our Rheumatologists will eventually bring about a change.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Thanks. One more step along the way I go ...

[Niblick]

Fran , what is the source of the Research please?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Niblick]

It says quite clearly under the slide image. This is a link to the Abstract

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/379...

Relapse after cessation of weekly tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis: a multicentre service evaluation in England

Vanessa Quick et al

Unfortunately, they tend to keep such gems behind a paywall ...