Lindsey Shapiro, PhD,  science writer—

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…

Levels of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) protein in immune B-cells are higher than normal in people with myasthenia gravis (MG), and may be a useful biomarker of inflammation in MG, a study suggested. The observed elevations were more pronounced among patients with generalized MG…

Researchers have found that a set of cells called medullary thymic epithelial cells, or mTECs, may play a role in the development of myasthenia gravis (MG) in thymoma patients — people with thymus tumors. Changes in the function of these cells were observed in thymoma tissues collected from people…

Careful administration and monitoring of anesthetic medications may prevent complications in people with subclinical myasthenia gravis (MG) undergoing surgery, a case report suggests. The findings, concerning a woman receiving surgery to remove a thymoma — a tumor of the thymus — suggest that anesthetic management of subclinical MG may…

A man developed signs of myasthenia gravis (MG) with eye symptoms about a month after receiving the first shot of Oxford-AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, a case study reports. “This case report implies that COVID-19 vaccination may cause myasthenia gravis with ocular symptoms,” the researchers wrote. “But we should also consider…

European regulators have recommended efgartigimod be approved as an add-on therapy for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who have anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. This recommendation, from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), will serve as the basis for a final regulatory decision from the…

Vyvgart (efgartigimod alfa-fcab) is being made available to eligible adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in the U.K. under an early access to medicines scheme (EAMS), Argenx, the therapy’s developer, announced. An EAMS is designed to enable access to potentially lifesaving medications for patients with unmet medical…