Study summary

A JAK inhibitor pill kept more people in remission while halving steroid time

SELECT-GCA trial · 428 people, phase 3 · Published April 2025, New England Journal of Medicine; FDA approved April 2025

46.4%in sustained remission at 52 weeks, vs 29.0% with placebo

What was tested

Upadacitinib, a once-daily JAK inhibitor pill (15 mg or 7.5 mg) with a 26-week steroid taper, against placebo with a 52-week steroid taper, for giant cell arteritis.

What they found

Sustained remission at week 52: 46.4% with 15 mg vs 29.0% with placebo; 7.5 mg was not significantly better.
Flares and total steroid exposure were lower.
No major heart events occurred on upadacitinib.

What it means

The first pill approved for GCA and a second steroid-sparing option after tocilizumab.

N Engl J Med, via PubMed ↗ ← Back to the outlook

Last reviewed 2026-11-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.