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Treatments promoting the formation of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters could represent a new therapeutic approach for people with MuSK-autoantibody positive myasthenia gravis (MuSK-MG), a preclinical study suggests. While the data still need to be confirmed in further studies, researchers highlighted the therapeutic potential of targeting MG-associated cell processes, instead of…

The majority of myasthenia gravis (MG) acute exacerbations are associated with infections or with certain medications, a recent study suggests. These findings suggest that patients on certain medications, such as beta blockers and antibiotics, should be closely monitored and highlight the importance of vaccination. The study, titled, “…

In people with ocular myasthenia gravis, the presence of anti-AChR or anti-MuSK antibodies likely increases their risk of disease generalization to the rest of the body, according to a recent study. Researchers also call attention to the disease when it’s associated with certain cancer therapies, due to greater…

Most patients with late-onset myasthenia gravis (LOMG) — those whose disease appears at age 50 or later and is not related to tumors in the thymus gland — are men, have mild-to-moderate disease, and respond well to treatment with oral prednisone combined with azathioprine, a study in…

Despite skyrocketing healthcare costs, President Trump is committed to protecting the 30 million or so Americans with rare diseases and ensuring timely, affordable access to lifesaving treatments, the nation’s highest-ranking health official said. “We have to think about how our financing system can protect those with serious and rare illnesses.

A rare case of myasthenia gravis (MG) complicated by a tumor in the thymus and an immunodeficiency known as Good syndrome has been documented by researchers, who warn against heavy use of certain immunosuppressants that are likely ineffective and pose a risk for serious infections. The…

Cyclophosphamide, a medicine with immunosuppressant abilities, may be a potential short-term alternative treatment for refractory — or difficult to treat — myasthenia gravis (MG), especially in lower-income countries, a small study from Mexico reports.   The study, “Intravenous cyclophosphamide monthly pulses in refractory myasthenia gravis,” was published in The…

People with refractory myasthenia gravis — those whose symptoms persist after treatment — are more likely to miss working hours and to be unemployed than those whose disease responds to treatment and are nonrefractory, a study found. The study, “Employment in refractory myasthenia gravis: A Myasthenia…

Cladribine, a medication for relapsing multiple sclerosis, eased symptoms and reduced the need for high-dosage corticosteroids in people with treatment-resistant myasthenia gravis, a small study shows. The study, titled “Cladribine in myasthenia gravis: a pilot open‐label study,” was published in the European Journal of Neurology.

Rare disease-themed videos glowed on a large screen before an audience of people in wheelchairs, with crutches, and bearing oxygen tanks this Nov. 9 and 10 in San Francisco. Disorder: The Rare Disease Film Festival strives to eventually host a film about every one of the nearly 7,000 rare…