Stone JH, et al. - In patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) flares, researchers assessed glucocorticoid dosages and serologic findings. For this investigation, GCA patients were randomly assigned to receive double-blind dosing with either subcutaneous tocilizumab (TCZ) 162 mg weekly plus 26-week prednisone taper (TCZ-QW + Pred-26), every-other-week TCZ plus 26-week prednisone taper (TCZ-Q2W + Pred-26), placebo plus 26-week prednisone taper (PBO + Pred-26), or placebo plus 52-week prednisone taper (PBO + Pred-52). According to findings, the majority of GCA flares occurred while prednisone was still being received by patients. In patients treated with TCZ plus prednisone or with prednisone alone, acute-phase reactant levels were not reliable indicators of flare. Earlier GCA control is facilitated by adding TCZ to prednisone.