Patricia Inacio, PhD, science writer —

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.