Andrea Lobo,  —

Andrea Lobo is a Science writer at BioNews. She holds a Biology degree and a PhD in Cell Biology/Neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. She was a postdoctoral and senior researcher at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health in Porto, in drug addiction, studying neuronal plasticity induced by amphetamines. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals. She shifted towards a career in science writing and communication in 2022.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

Zilbrysq now approved in Canada to treat adults with generalized MG

UCB’s injection therapy Zilbrysq (zilucoplan) has gained approval in Canada for treating adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are positive for antibodies targeting the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). The decision by Health Canada was supported by results from the Phase 3 RAISE trial (NCT04115293), in which the…

New Phase 3 trial data support efficacy of nipocalimab in gMG

Treatment with nipocalimab led to significant reductions in disease severity among people with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), as assessed by a drop in the MG Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score, according to top-line data from a pivotal Phase 3 trial. Findings from the trial, dubbed VIVACITY-MG3…

Cancer therapy Keytruda triggers MG in elderly man: Case report

Treatment with Keytruda (pembrolizumab), an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) used to treat cancer, may trigger myasthenia gravis (MG), according to a recent case report. The patient, a 73-year-old man with a previous history of skin and prostate cancer, developed symptoms of MG and myositis — a disease in which…

IL-41 may be potential biomarker as levels correlate with MG severity

Blood levels of interleukin-41 (IL-41) — a signaling molecule involved in immune responses — are found to be significantly elevated in people with myasthenia gravis (MG), and associated with disease severity and inflammatory markers, a study from China reports. These findings indicate “IL-41 may be essential to the [disease]…

‘Hot Line,’ other patient initiatives mark MGFA annual conference

The 2024 National Patient Conference by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) brought together more than 400 members of the myasthenia gravis (MG) community this week to educate participants about how to better manage their disease and raise awareness about treatments and clinical studies. “We are so…

Unusual symptoms of ocular MG in young girl ease after treatment

A young girl who showed unusual symptoms of ocular myasthenia gravis — persistent upper eyelid droopiness and outward deviation of the right eye — saw her symptoms ease after she received standard treatment, a case report shows. “This case emphasizes the diverse presentation of MG in ophthalmology, with ocular…

Rescue therapy use can reduce myasthenic crisis deaths: Scientists

Timely rescue therapy use during a myasthenic crisis — a life-threatening complication of myasthenia gravis (MG) marked by severe breathing problems — can reduce mortality among patients. That’s according to new findings from researchers in China, who investigated risk factors associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, which is commonly…