Patricia Inacio, PhD, science writer —

Using robotic-assisted surgery to remove the thymus without putting a patient on an  immunosuppressant afterwards leads to higher myasthenia gravis (MG) improvement and remission rates, a study suggests. The study, “Independent long-term result of robotic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis, a single center experience” was published in the Journal of Thoracic…

Ra Pharmaceuticals, which is now enrolling patients with generalized myasthenia gravis into a Phase 2 clinical trial, joined millions of health care advocates worldwide for the 11th annual Rare Disease Day, held to raise awareness and public understanding of rare diseases. The 2018 Rare Disease Day had as a…

Researchers in Japan wrote about a new case study where treatment with the immunotherapy Opdivo (nivolumab) led to a relapse of myasthenia gravis (MG). The study is a new piece of evidence supporting previous concerns that this type of treatment may increase risk for autoimmune disorders. The…

Women with a rare form of myasthenia gravis (MG) called muscle specific kinase (MuSK) MG can have healthy pregnancies without jeopardizing outcomes or increasing the risk of disease worsening, a small group study suggests. The study, “MuSK Myasthenia gravis and Pregnancy,” was published in the journal Neuromuscular Disorders.

GT Biopharma has launched a proof-of-concept Phase 1 trial of its investigational therapy GTP-004 for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. The trial’s primary goal is to demonstrate the therapy improves the gastrointestinal side effects of current treatments. “I am very pleased that GT Biopharma’s first clinical trial in patients with…

Cancer immunotherapies that boost the immune system’s response, such as Opdivo (nivolumab), may increase risk for autoimmune disorders, including myasthenia gravis, a case report study suggests. The findings of the case are reported in “Myasthenia Gravis Induced by Nivolumab: A Case Report,” published in the journal Cureus. Opdivo…

Researchers in Taiwan have found that first-degree relatives of individuals with myasthenia gravis have a higher risk of developing the disease. The risk is greater for patients’ siblings, the study found. The study, “Familial aggregation of myasthenia gravis in affected families: a population-based study,” appeared in the journal Clinical…

Researchers have found that the drug ONX-0914 halts disease progression in an animal model of myasthenia gravis by altering immune responses. The study, “ONX-0914, a selective inhibitor of immunoproteasome, ameliorates experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis by modulating humoral response,” was published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology. The buildup of…

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals announced that it will soon begin a Phase 3 clinical trial to assess Firdapse (amifampridine phosphate) in people with myasthenia gravis who are positive for the MuSK antibody. In meetings, the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) arrived at an agreement regarding the size, scope and objectives of…

Muscle regeneration in myasthenia gravis likely is delayed as a result of the impaired functioning of muscle stem cells, called satellite cells (SCs), a study has found. The study, “Muscle satellite cells are functionally impaired in myasthenia gravis: consequences on muscle regeneration,” was published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica.