News

Certain Immune Cells May Be Biomarker for MG Severity

Blood levels of certain immune cells, called follicular helper T-cells (Tfh), are abnormally high in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG)  who have autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor, a study shows. Study results showed that cells released inflammatory molecules and were linked with more severe disease, supporting their role as a…

Gene Variation Linked to Immunotherapy Response

Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who have one copy of an FCGRT gene variant have lower levels of circulating antibodies called immunoglobulin G (IgG) and are more likely to be resistant to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment, a small study found. The…

Pandemic Won’t Stop Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28

Scores of virtual events are afoot around the world to mark Rare Disease Day 2021 on Feb. 28. The activities are focused on heightening awareness about rare diseases and the hundreds of millions of individuals they are thought to affect. Patients, caregivers, and advocates worldwide will sport denim ribbons…

Double-Seropositive MG May Be Subtype of MuSK-MG, Study Suggests

A lesser known variety of myasthenia gravis (MG), called double-seropositive, appears to be a subtype of MuSK-antibody positive MG, a single-site study in China reports. Recognizing this subtype could help in properly diagnosing patients, allowing for better treatment outcomes, its scientists said. Their study, “AChRAb and…

Horizon Acquires Viela, Will Develop Inebilizumab for MG Symptoms

In a $3.05 billion deal, Horizon Therapeutics will acquire Viela Bio, the developer of inebilizumab, a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis (MG), the two companies announced. Horizon plans to advance inebilizumab, already approved for treating another rare autoimmune disease, as a therapy for decreasing disease activity…

High AChR Autoantibodies Linked to MG Risk After Thymectomy

High levels of autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChR) in the blood of people with thymoma — a tumor of the thymus — can help to identify patients at risk of developing myasthenia gravis (MG) after tumor surgery, a study suggests. Larger tumors, and partial tumor resection might also increase this risk.