Steve Bryson, PhD, science writer —

The onset of myasthenia gravis (MG) occurs at a significantly younger age in people who smoke, a study has found. Women who smoked at MG onset, or within 10 years before its onset, were significantly younger at disease onset than men. Yet, no sex differences were seen among those…

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy (SCIg) — given by under-the-skin injection — was well-tolerated and effective in the management of adults with myasthenia gravis (MG), a small study has found. Although the therapy is approved for other diseases related to immune system deficiency, and is currently under investigation as an…

Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine did not worsen symptoms in 200 people with myasthenia gravis (MG), with mostly injection site-related side-effects reported, matching those seen in the general population, a study reported. These findings contrast with those of a recent study suggesting that, in very rare cases,…

An under-the-skin injection formulation of efgartigimod is as effective as the therapy’s infusion version, sold as Vyvgart (efgartigimod alfa-fcab), at lowering immunoglobulin G antibody levels in people with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), according to top-line data from the ADAPT-SC trial. Based on these findings, Argenx, the therapy’s developer, plans…

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…