Marta Figueiredo, PhD, science writer —

Greater reductions in the levels of antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) within the first three months after immunosuppressive treatment in people with myasthenia gravis (MG) are associated with better one-year post-therapy outcomes, a study shows. These findings suggest that measuring anti-AChR antibodies shortly after the start of such therapy…

Myasthenia gravis (MG) crisis, the disease’s most severe state, is associated with pronounced pro-inflammatory cellular and molecular changes, a recent study shows. Notably, several pro-inflammatory immune cells and molecules were found to be associated with symptom severity, adding to previous data showing a link between certain pro-inflammatory cells…

People with rare disorders have a worse healthcare experience than those affected by chronic diseases, according to the results of an international survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. Indeed, rare disease patients overall give their healthcare experience a medium-low rating, of 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5,…

A panel of 16 international experts has updated and expanded the recommendations for best management of myasthenia gravis (MG), based on the latest evidence in literature. “Some wealthy countries have established their own guidelines, but most of the world cannot do that,” Gil I. Wolfe, MD, chair of the…

In people with myasthenia gravis (MG), slow or slurred speech, called dysarthria, is associated with changes in three motor bases of speech — breathing, phonation, and articulation — according to a small study from Brazil. These findings support dysarthria as a common symptom of MG and highlight the importance…

The first wave of COVID-19 in Europe severely disrupted access to care and raised stress and anxiety in people with rare diseases, negatively affecting their health and well-being, according to a survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. “People living with rare diseases in Europe have found themselves caught as collateral…

Among myasthenia gravis (MG) patients whose thymomas — tumors of the thymus — are surgically removed, those who are younger, have a more advanced thymoma, and whose surgery is other than a sternotomy or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) appear to be at a higher risk of cancer relapse, a…

Among people with myasthenia gravis (MG) and thymoma — a tumor of the thymus — being male and having more severe disease, advanced thymoma, or post-surgery complications predict poorer outcomes, a study from China suggests. In turn, anticholinesterase therapies taken early and before surgery to remove the thymus…

Argenx’s lead candidate efgartigimod (ARGX-113) safely and effectively eases symptoms in people with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who have acetylcholine receptors (AChR) autoantibodies, top-line data from a Phase 3 clinical trial show. While most of the trial’s goals were focused on AChR-positive patients (the most common group in…

People who develop ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) before age 40 are more likely to go into remission after surgery to remove the thymus (thymectomy), according to a Chinese study. The work also supported thymectomy as a safe and effective approach to treat OMG, with about 40% of patients…