Lindsey Shapiro, PhD, science writer —

Researchers have identified clinical factors that increase the risk of a post-operative myasthenic crisis (POMC) for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who have surgery to remove the thymus gland. Among the risk factors listed are more severe MG with respiratory muscle involvement, pre-operative use of a high dose of pyridostigmine…

Shedding of the muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) protein from the surface of muscle cells into the bloodstream could be the reason why anti-MuSK antibodies drive myasthenia gravis (MG) in some cases, according to a study. The protein was found in the blood of healthy mice and people, and was…

Analyzing the motor end-plate (MEP) — the specialized muscle region that communicates with a nerve cell — using a muscle biopsy could help diagnose patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who test negative for common disease-associated antibodies, a small study suggests. Among patients with MG-like symptoms who were negative on…

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is supporting a pilot project that aims to develop a simple and fast diagnostic lab test for myasthenia gravis (MG). With the one-year, $100,000 NIH award, researchers at the University of California, Davis, will work to develop an assay able to identify disease-causing antibodies…

Treatment with the diabetes medication metformin suppresses the growth of immune T- and B-cell subsets that are implicated in the development of myasthenia gravis (MG), according to a study in a rat model of the neuromuscular disease. Metformin appeared to exert these positive effects by reversing the abnormal levels…

Two investigational UCB treatments for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) — zilucoplan and rozanolixizumab — continue to show benefits in gMG patients, according to recently reported findings from Phase 3 trials. Both delivered as subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injections, zilucoplan works by blocking an immune system protein called C5 that…

The European Commission has approved Ultomiris (ravulizumab) as an add-on to standard therapy for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). Eligible patients will be positive for antibodies targeting the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) — the most common type of MG-causing antibody. Ultomiris is now the first long-acting C5 complement…

Pyridostigmine is perceived as being moderately effective at easing myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms, but often is accompanied by side effects, a study of Dutch patients revealed. Researchers noted the findings do not indicate a need for changes to current guidelines, which recommend the use of pyridostigmine as a first-line…

Neurologists find both Vyvgart (efgartigimod) and Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) effective for treating generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), but believe Ultomiris has a more convenient dosing schedule while Vyvgart may have a better safety profile. That’s according to a recent analysis by the market intelligence firm Spherix Global Insights.

Risk factors for converting ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) to generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) after a thymectomy, or thymus removal surgery, were identified in a recent study. Specifically, abnormalities in a repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) test and having a specific thymus tumor subtype called B2/B3 were predictive of gMG…