RhAPPcast: Inside the Evidence: A Deep Dive into the SELECT-GCA Study

In this episode of RhAPPcast, the official podcast of rheumatology advanced practice providers, host Amanda Mixon continues the GCA Fireside Chat series with a deep dive into the SELECT-GCA trial—one of the most significant recent studies in giant cell arteritis (GCA). Joined by Naomi Amadala, CRNP, and Dr. Peter Merkel, professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania and lead author of the New England Journal of Medicine paper, this discussion unpacks the study’s design, patient population, primary and secondary outcomes, and what the results mean for clinical practice. Together, they explore how the JAK-STAT pathway has become a new therapeutic target, the role of upadacitinib in GCA, and how this therapy compares to existing options like tocilizumab and methotrexate. The conversation also covers steroid tapering strategies, long-term disease control, safety considerations, and how these findings are shaping the future of vasculitis care. Whether you are a rheumatology provider, researcher, or trainee, this episode offers evidence-based insights and practical takeaways for managing patients with giant cell arteritis.