Steve Bryson, PhD, science writer —

Researchers report having uncovered the atomic structure of the acetylcholine receptor, the target of the abnormal immune response that causes most cases of myasthenia gravis (MG). They also detailed how the receptor is activated by changes in its shape when combined with two small molecules. Their work could help…

Lower levels of antibodies targeting acetylcholine receptors in the bloodstream of people with myasthenia gravis (MG) were associated with improved clinical status, a study demonstrated. These findings showed not only that antibody blood tests are useful for diagnosing MG, but also that repetitive testing may be “valuable as a…

Japan has approved Vyvgart (efgartigimod) to treat adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), the therapy’s developer, Argenx, announced. Vyvgart will be available to generalized MG patients, regardless of antibody status, who are refractory, which means they have failed to respond to steroids or nonsteroidal immunosuppressive therapies. The…

Immunovant is moving forward with its Phase 3 clinical trial in the U.S. to evaluate the investigational myasthenia gravis (MG) therapy batoclimab in the first half of this year. The announcement came after the company reached an agreement with the division of neurology within the U.S. Food…

A 31-year-old woman was diagnosed with two autoimmune conditions — myasthenia gravis (MG) and a liver disease called primary biliary cirrhosis — after giving birth, a recent case study reported. “Given the fluctuation of the immune status during the postpartum period, combined autoimmune diseases need to be taken into…

One year of rituximab therapy was effective in people with myasthenia gravis (MG) ages 65 or older, with no significant differences in response or safety seen in this older patient group relative to younger patients, an analysis of medical records found. “Rituximab should be considered in the treatment…

Altered production of circular RNA impaired the process of muscle cell growth and regeneration in people with myasthenia gravis (MG), a study has suggested. More studies investigating the role of circular RNA in MG may identify new molecular markers to monitor disease progression and reveal therapeutic targets, the researchers…

Treatment with immunosuppressant medications can delay disease progression in patients with ocular myasthenia gravis, which affects only eye muscles, to a more generalized form in which other muscles are affected, a study has found. The findings also showed that thymus gland abnormalities, as well as irregular results on facial…

Editor’s note: The Myasthenia Gravis News team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference. People with myasthenia gravis (MG) have used a patient-led analysis to document and share with healthcare professionals their…

Editor’s note: The Myasthenia Gravis News team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference Soliris (eculizumab), a treatment for people with generalized myasthenia gravis…