Serum proteomics in giant cell arteritis in response to a three-day pulse of glucocorticoid followed by tocilizumab monotherapy (the GUSTO trial).

Disease-regulated serum proteins improved within 10 days and were normalized within 24 weeks, showing a kinetic corresponding to the gradual achievement of clinical remission. The proteins inversely regulated by GC and TCZ shed light on the differential effects of the two drugs. CCL7, CXCL9, and MMP12 are biomarkers that reflect disease activity despite normalized C-reactive protein levels.