Clinical trial Recruiting at 61 sites Observational Ages 50 and up

Understanding genetic factors in Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Official title: UK GCA Consortium: Clinical and Immunogenetic Characterization of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Run by University of Leeds · NCT04102930 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is trying to find out if certain genes make people more likely to get Giant Cell Arteritis or Polymyalgia Rheumatica, focusing on patients aged 50 and older who have these conditions.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment4500 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Leeds
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionstocilizumab
Locations76 sites (Canterbury, Kent and 75 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 10, 2005
Main results expectedMarch 31, 2028
Study endsMarch 31, 2028
Registry record updatedMarch 30, 2025
Trial IDNCT04102930 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include individuals aged 50 and over with a confirmed diagnosis of GCA or PMR.

Probably not a fit

Patients who are unwilling or unable to provide informed consent will not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to characterize the clinical and immunogenetic aspects of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) by recruiting both prospective and retrospective patient cohorts. The primary goal is to identify genetic determinants that contribute to the susceptibility of these conditions, which could provide insights into their underlying mechanisms. Additionally, a subset of patients will be monitored in a post-marketing surveillance registry for those receiving tocilizumab for relapsing or refractory GCA. The study involves multiple centers and focuses on patients aged 50 and above, with a firm diagnosis of GCA or PMR.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and management of GCA and PMR, potentially reducing complications and enhancing patient outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in identifying genetic factors related to autoimmune conditions, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Willing to self-identify an ethnic group, such as Caucasian, Asian, Afro-Caribbean.
* Have a firm clinical diagnosis of GCA or PMR, or (for patients identified prospectively) GCA or PMR should be more likely than any alternative explanation for the patient's symptoms.
* Able and willing to give informed consent. Patients will be 50 years of age or over, unless both biopsy-proven and a clinically classical case of GCA.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient unwilling or unable to give fully informed consent.

Where it's running

  • Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital
    Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Whiston Hospital
    Prescot, Merseyside, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Nevill Hall Hospital, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
    Abergavenny, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
    Aylesbury, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
    Bangor, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Basildon University Hospital, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Basildon, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Basingstoke, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
    Bath, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
    Birmingham, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
    Birmingham, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Bristol Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
    Bristol, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Queen's Hospital, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
    Burton-on-Trent, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • West Suffolk Hospital, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
    Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Cambridge, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    Chelsea, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    Chelsea, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals, Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Chertsey, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Countess of Chester Hospital, Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust
    Chester, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Christchurch Hospital, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
    Christchurch, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Croydon University Hospital, Croydon Health Service NHS Trust
    Croydon, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Darlington Memorial Hospital, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
    Darlington, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Derby Hospital, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
    Derby, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Doncaster, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
    Exeter, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Gateshead Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
    Gateshead, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Harrogate and District Hospital, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
    Harrogate, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust
    Hull, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Airedale General Hospital, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
    Keighley, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Westmorland General Hospital, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
    Kendal, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Lancaster Infirmary, University Hospitals of Morecambe NHS Foundation Trust
    Lancaster, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Leeds, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
    Leicester, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Aintree University Hospital, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Trust
    Liverpool, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Cwm Taf University Health Board
    Llantrisant, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • King's College Hospital, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • St George's Hospital, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • University College London Hospital, University College London NHS Foundation Trust
    London, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
    Manchester, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Freeman Hospital, The Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Newcastle, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • North Tyneside General Hospital, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
    North Shields, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Northampton General Hospital, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
    Northampton, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
    Nottingham, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Peterborough City Hospital, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
    Peterborough, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Derriford Hospital, University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust
    Plymouth, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Poole Hospital, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
    Poole, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Minerva Health Centre, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
    Preston, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Preston, United Kingdom
    Recruiting

+26 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • Understanding biomarkers in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica

    This study is trying to find specific markers in the blood of people newly diagnosed with giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica to help doctors understand their disease better and create personalized treatment plans.

    Recruiting University of Bonn · Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia · NCT06460142

  • National database for Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica

    This study is trying to see how new imaging techniques can help doctors better manage Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica by looking at treatment responses and risks in patients.

    Recruiting at 2 sites University of Aarhus · Aarhus and 1 other locations · NCT05935709

  • Supplemental hydrocortisone for adrenal insufficiency during stress

    This study is testing if adding hydrocortisone can help people with polymyalgia rheumatica or giant cell arteritis who have low adrenal function feel better during stressful times compared to a placebo.

    Recruiting at 3 sites Phase 4 Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet · Aarhus and 2 other locations · NCT05435781

  • Registry and biorepository for rheumatic diseases

    This study is collecting samples and health information from adults with rheumatic diseases at Yale clinics to help researchers learn more about these conditions and improve future treatments.

    Recruiting Yale University · New Haven, Connecticut · NCT04402086

  • How optic nerve swelling changes after starting steroids in giant cell arteritis

    This study tests how quickly the optic nerve sheath swelling decreases after starting glucocorticoids in people with newly diagnosed giant cell arteritis.

    Recruiting Centre Integre Universitaire de Sante et Services Sociaux du Nord de l'ile de Montreal · Montreal, Quebec · NCT07508514

  • Sarilumab for early polymyalgia rheumatica in adults

    This study tests whether sarilumab given every two weeks, with a prednisone taper, helps people with early polymyalgia rheumatica more than placebo plus prednisone taper.

    Recruiting at 85 sites Phase 3 Sanofi · Avondale, Arizona and 84 other locations · NCT07286214

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.