Modern approaches to the treatment of Takayasu arteritis

Abstract

Takayasu arteritis (AT) is a chronic granulomatous systemic vasculitis that affects large vessels and requires a multidisciplinary approach as the clinical signs are non-specific and disease activity is difficult to assess. Early rational drug treatment of AT suppresses both vascular and systemic inflammation, with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants being of paramount importance. Advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of AT have contributed to the development of new treatments that target key pro-inflammatory factors and involve the use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.