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.

People with myasthenia gravis (MG) have a significantly higher risk of body-wide complications within three months of total hip or knee replacement surgery than patients without the rare disease, a study found. The analysis, “Increased rate…

The two COVID-19 vaccines that recently received emergency approval from the U.S. and other worldwide regulatory agencies are expected to pose little risk to the rare disease community, including to patients with compromised immune systems or those participating in gene therapy studies. That was the message of a recent…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting those with rare diseases, has launched new patient assistance programs for people with myasthenia gravis (MG) living in the U.S. The new assistance programs aim to help patients who have limited financial resources with…

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a well-deserved…

A highly sensitive blood test detected disease-causing antibodies in a case of myasthenia gravis (MG) believed to be induced by COVID-19. The case underscores the importance of such diagnostic tools to detect disease markers that may be missed by the current approach in diagnosing…

Lower frequency of a specific subset of immune cells in the bloodstream may help identify myasthenia gravis (MG) in cases difficult to diagnose, specifically those testing negative for MG autoantibodies, a study suggests. Published in the journal Muscle & Nerve, the study, “Reduced plasmablast frequency is associated with…

Argenx has filed an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the approval of efgartigimod (ARGX-113) to treat generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). Similar approval requests are on track to be filed in Europe and Japan this year, Argenx stated in a recently released corporate update.

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is seeking individuals willing to share real-life experiences with rare diseases to speak at its upcoming virtual Living Rare, Living Stronger NORD Patient and Family Forum. The interactive, patient-focused forum will be held online June 26-27. The deadline to apply for a…

Combination therapy of rituximab and plasma exchange reduced disease severity in nine patients with refractory myasthenia gravis, a case series reports.  The case series, “Treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis by double‐filtration plasmapheresis and rituximab: A case series of nine patients and…