Surgical removal of the thymus to treat myasthenia gravis (MG) patients without a thymoma — a tumor in the thymus — seems to be more effective than medications, according to a new review study from Brazil. The study, “Thymectomy in nonthymomatous myasthenia gravis — systematic…
Weekly infusions of Rituxan (rituximab) for four consecutive weeks followed by a monthly infusion for two months may be more effective than other Rituxan regimens in treatment‐resistant, MuSK antibody-positive myasthenia gravis (MuSK MG) patients, according to a small Spanish study. The study, “The impact of rituximab infusion protocol…
Proteins associated with the development of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) were found to aggravate the severity of myasthenia gravis (MG) in a mouse model, which could explain why patients with one disorder are more susceptible to the other condition. Findings were reported in the study, “NMO-IgG…
There are a number of unanswered questions for researchers and clinicians involved with myasthenia gravis (MG), from understanding the cause of the disease to finding an ideal treatment option for patients, according to a physician. Pedro J. Modrego, MD, from Miguel Servet University Hospital in Zaragoza, Spain, discusses this issue in an…
Blocking the signals of the interleukin-9 receptor, or IL-9R, delayed the progression of myasthenia gravis and reduced symptoms of the disease in rats, a study reports. The study, “Exogenous IL-9 Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis Symptoms in Rats,” was published in the journal of…
An interventional program composed of physical activity and psychological support may help improve fatigue levels in myasthenia gravis patients, a small pilot trial found. The results, however, were not sustained over time, and a bigger study is needed, researchers said. The study titled “A Physical and Psychological Approach to…
A small but significant percentage of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients remain resistant to current therapies, which severely impacts on their quality of life and requires greater attention and more aggressive treatments, according to a recent opinion piece from a neurologist. The article, “Refractory Myasthenia Gravis – Patient Burden…
Protalex’s lead treatment candidate PRTX-100 again showed the potential to lessen disease activity and preserve grip strength in a second study in a mouse model of myasthenia gravis (MG). These findings, from an interim analysis of a study led by researchers at George Washington University, are intended to to…
Treatment with Qiangji Jianli (QJJL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine, improved energy metabolism and the structure of mitochondria in a rat model of myasthenia gravis (MG), researchers in China report, suggesting it might be a promising therapy for the condition. The study, “Effect of Qiangji Jianli decoction on mitochondrial…
The clinical-stage biotech company argenx is planning to start a pivotal Phase 3 trial of efgartigimod (ARGX-113) for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) before the end of the year. The company announced it has received guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration following an End-of-Phase 2 meeting. The Phase…
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