Myasthenia gravis
RSS feedPyridostigmine and amifampridine evaluated versus placebo in myasthenia gravis
Almost a century after Dr Mary Walker first used pyridostigmine to treat autoimmune myasthenia gravis: the randomised, randomised, double-blind IMPACT-MG trial in the Netherlands compared the anticholinesterase alone (in 19 patients), then in combination with amifampridine (20 patients), versus placebo, in 5-day periods separated by 2-day washout periods; the investigators concluded that pyridostigmine was superior … [Read more]
Encouraging results for efgartigimod in juvenile myasthenia gravis
Approved in France since 2022, efgartigimod (Vyvgart®) is currently indicated for adults with generalised autoimmune myasthenia gravis with anti-RACh antibodies. A multicentre retrospective study conducted in China investigated its use in 17 children and adolescents (median age 13.4 years): efgartigimod (Vyvgart®) was initiated for an acute exacerbation of myasthenia or insufficient improvement despite treatment (pyridostigmine, … [Read more]
CAR-T cells are effective in reducing autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis
German researchers have developed and tested CAR-T cells using serum from patients with myasthenia gravis: this novel cell therapy aimed to enable effector cells to recognise the alpha-1 and beta-1 subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (NAChR), this led to a depletion of the B lymphocytes responsible for producing autoantibodies against the nAChR, a consequent … [Read more]
The MG-ADL scale is not the most appropriate tool for assessing respiratory impairment in myasthenia gravis
Danish and French clinicians investigated the diagnostic and predictive value of the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale for respiratory function in patients with myasthenia gravis: 70 adults with a confirmed diagnosis of myasthenia gravis took part in the study, which involved completing three functional scales (the MGC, the QMG, and the MG-ADL) … [Read more]
Sexual dysfunction remains understudied in neuromuscular disorders
A team from the Institute of Myology conducted a literature review to assess the current state of knowledge regarding sexual dysfunction in neuromuscular diseases. The analysis covered 27 studies conducted between 1983 and 2024, involving 2,428 patients. Sexual dysfunction is common and varied in neuromuscular diseases, with multifactorial mechanisms (endocrine, neuromuscular, psychological or related to … [Read more]
Is there an increased risk of cancer in autoimmune myasthenia gravis?
Israeli researchers have investigated the risk of developing cancers other than thymoma in patients with autoimmune myasthenia gravis: data on 1,558 adults with myasthenia gravis were extracted from the Israeli Clalit health database, then compiled and compared with those of a control group; this group of patients had a higher rate of cancers (leukaemia or … [Read more]
The real-world effects of medications contraindicated in Myasthenia Gravis
French clinicians have examined the links between autoimmune myasthenia gravis and medications that are traditionally contraindicated (either formally or relatively) for this condition: The National Health Data System (SNDS) was used to conduct a study tracking potential complications associated with these medications over the 2013–2020 period; data from 14,459 people with autoimmune myasthenia gravis were … [Read more]
An increased risk of urinary disorders in cases of autoimmune myasthenia
In order to study immune disorders in autoimmune myasthenia gravis, a recent study compared 86 patients with the disease and 90 hospitalized controls, matched for age and gender and assessed using the ICIQ-UI SF (urinary incontinence) and OABSS (overactive bladder) questionnaires. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was significantly higher in patients with autoimmune myasthenia gravis … [Read more]
A case of Lambert-Eaton syndrome successfully treated with efgartigimod
Chinese clinicians report the case of a 73-year-old patient diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) who underwent treatment with a latest-generation immunosuppressant: the patient met all the criteria necessary to confirm the diagnosis of LEMS, including the onset of motor disorders in the context of small cell lung cancer, a compatible electrophysiological study and positive … [Read more]
Is rituximab useful in ocular myasthenia gravis?
Chinese clinicians report encouraging results regarding the use of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, in forms of ocular myasthenia gravis: their pilot study involved 9 adult patients treated between 2023 and 2024 with a low dose of rituximab (200 mg), all of whom were seropositive for acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies, the treatment led to a … [Read more]
