The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has approved Ultomiris (ravulizumab) for treating generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). The approval covers adults positive for antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) — the most common type of MG-driving autoantibody — and who either don’t respond adequately to…
Risk factors for converting ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) to generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) after a thymectomy, or thymus removal surgery, were identified in a recent study. Specifically, abnormalities in a repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) test and having a specific thymus tumor subtype called B2/B3 were predictive of gMG…
Levels of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) protein in immune B-cells are higher than normal in people with myasthenia gravis (MG), and may be a useful biomarker of inflammation in MG, a study suggested. The observed elevations were more pronounced among patients with generalized MG…
About one in 10 patients with thymic carcinoma — a rare type of malignant tumor in the thymus gland — also has myasthenia gravis (MG), but this does not appear to reduce their lifespan, according to a study of data from an international registry. The study, “Does myasthenia…
Researchers in Italy have reported three cases of myasthenia gravis (MG) they say may possibly have been caused by a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. “Clinicians should be aware of possible new-onset MG after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, especially with the current recommendation of booster doses,” the team…
The European Commission has approved Vyvgart (efgartigimod) as an add-on to standard treatment for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are positive for antibodies against acetylcholine receptor (AChR), the most common type of MG-driving antibody. “We share the excitement with the European gMG community in bringing a…
Sanofi has decided to pause recruitment globally in its Phase 3 clinical trials of tolebrutinib, an experimental BTK inhibitor, based on recommendations from the independent data monitoring committee (iDMC) overseeing the trials. The company has several ongoing studies investigating tolebrutinib’s effectiveness and safety, including one testing the investigational therapy…
Researchers have found that a set of cells called medullary thymic epithelial cells, or mTECs, may play a role in the development of myasthenia gravis (MG) in thymoma patients — people with thymus tumors. Changes in the function of these cells were observed in thymoma tissues collected from people…
The cancer immunotherapy Imfinzi (durvalumab) may, in rare cases, trigger myasthenic crises — a serious complication of myasthenia gravis (MG) that can lead to respiratory failure. A recent case report described how an 82-year-old woman on MG remission experienced a myasthenic crisis following treatment with Imfinzi for advanced-stage lung cancer.
A combination of glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is more effective at normalizing immune responses and easing disease symptoms in children with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) than glucocorticoids alone, a study showed. The combination also could allow for a shorter duration and lower dose of glucocorticoids, also known…
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