News

Myasthenia gravis (MG) onset is more common in men ages 40-70 than in women in the same age range. There are also gender differences in the incidence of MG-related manifestations and comorbid autoimmune diseases, according to a new study. This finding is in contrast to the higher prevalence of…

Use of rituximab can reverse myasthenia gravis-like symptoms in cancer patients being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors like Opdivo or Yervoy, a case study reports. The study, “Rituximab as initial therapy for the reversal of myasthenia gravis neurotoxicity caused by ipilimumab/nivolumab” was published in the journal Neuro-Oncology and presented at the…

A microRNA called miR-143, which blocks a molecule involved in the development and severity of myasthenia gravis, may be a new therapeutic target, according to a mouse study. The study, “MicroRNA-143 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of thymocyte by targeting CXCL13 in myasthenia gravis mice models,” was…

Changes in the ratio of dendritic cells (DCs), a subtype of immune cells, may reflect immune system function and could help predict treatment effectiveness in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), according to a new study. The study, “Imbalance of two main circulating dendritic cell subsets in…

Intolerable adverse events related to the use of prednisone, typically used to treat myasthenia gravis (MG), were more frequently reported by women than men, a study finds. The study, “Gender differences in prednisone adverse effects,” was published in the journal Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation. Prednisone is…

With the U.S. midterm elections now less than two weeks away, patient advocacy groups are solidly focused on a range of hot-button issues, from the Orphan Drug Tax Creditand affordable health insurance to future funding for rare disease research. Yet “whether Democrats take over the House or Senate, or…

Long-term respiratory muscle endurance training (RMET) is a safe, feasible therapy that, in combination with conventional treatment, improves respiratory endurance and general well-being of people with mild to moderate myasthenia gravis. The findings were reported in a study titled “Effects of long-term respiratory muscle endurance training on respiratory…

Myasthenia gravis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may share common underlying cellular mechanisms mediated by anti-LRP4 antibodies, a rare case report into both diseases being diagnosed in an elderly patient suggests. The study, “Late-onset Myasthenia Gravis Accompanied by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with Antibodies against the Acetylcholine…

Investigational antibody rozanolixizumab (UCB7665) has proven safe and effective in treating symptoms associated with myasthenia gravis (MG), Phase 2 results show. Based on the results of the MG0002 Phase 2 study (NCT03052751), biopharmaceutical company UCB plans to accelerate the development of rozanolixizumab with a confirmatory study…

Gut microbiota is altered in people with myasthenia gravis (MG), opening the door for exploring the use of microbiota-modulating therapies, like probiotics, as potential ways of better managing the disease. Results of the pilot study, “Fecal microbiota profile in a group of myasthenia gravis patients,” were published in…