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Football and science seem to be disparate fields of play at first glance, but the nonprofit Uplifting Athletes is finding common ground by leveraging the popularity of college gridiron games to fund research for rare diseases. Its nearly two dozen chapters — representing college football teams across the nation…
Zytux, a biosimilar of rituximab, may be effective and safe for patients with hard-to-treat myasthenia gravis (MG), a small study suggests. In the study, adding Zytux to prednisolone — a corticosteroid — eased MG symptoms, and improved patients’ quality of life, as well as their ability…
Muscle and physical function improved in patients with clinically stable myasthenia gravis (MG) who participated in an individually tailored six-month exercise program, a small study has found. The exercise program, which combined aerobic and resistance training with stretches, was well-tolerated by all participants. “Physical exercise is safe, effective, and…
With the goal of raising funds and awareness to improve care and find a cure for myasthenia gravis (MG), the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) is hosting the 2021 Coast-to-Coast Walk and 2740 Challenge on Nov. 13. The event, which will be held virtually this year,…
A newly launched non-profit institute is seeking to advance research, and the development of new therapies, for people with rare diseases — a patient community with some of the largest therapeutic needs, but one that is often left behind. Named the Institute for Life Changing Medicines, the project was…
The flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing-tensilon test (FTT), a new diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis (MG), can be used to distinguish people with swallowing difficulties due to MG from those having similar symptoms caused by other conditions, according to a new study. The study, “Detecting myasthenia…
A new service, BioNews Clinical is seeking to bring more patients into relevant clinical trials by helping all involved — scientists, pharmaceutical companies, people with diseases — regard these studies as part of continuing care. “Today what happens is that the conversation about patients participating in a clinical trial is not…
Participation in clinical trials exposes rare disease patients to financial, physical, and emotional pressures, according to the results of a patient focus group series. “Rare disease trial participants are running an endurance race they are highly motivated to complete, but these incremental burdens negatively impact their ability or willingness to…
Treatment with Descartes-08, an investigational CAR T-cell therapy, markedly eased symptoms of myasthenia gravis (MG) in three patients participating in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial assessing the therapy’s safety and preliminary efficacy. “This is the first clinical trial of CAR T-cells for an autoimmune disease. Naturally, the first patients…
For the first time, a genetic risk factor for myasthenia gravis (MG) has been identified that involves a gene — AGRN — coding for a protein directly involved in the activity of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which are impaired in MG, researchers report. The study, involving the genetic analysis of more than…
Myasthenia Gravis News conducted a survey from Feb. 11-March 28 to gain greater insight into the characteristics of the MG community and disease management. Results of the survey have now been published. Click on the image to view the infographic, and click here to read the story.
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