A protein called CD59 might protect the neuromuscular junction — the place where nerve cells come into contact and communicate with muscle cells — from the harmful action of the body’s immune system in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients, a study in Japan suggests. “CD59 overexpression might be required for…
“It really won’t hurt, but it will pull. Your skin will turn yellow. You should be back to normal in a few weeks, but you might not feel 100% for a few months.” What am I talking about? Getting an implanted port to receive infusions. For those of us with…
The risk of developing another autoimmune disease, especially rheumatoid arthritis, increased in people with myasthenia gravis (MG) after surgery to remove a thymoma, or a tumor of the thymus gland, according to a recent Chinese study. Women and younger patients were at particularly higher risk. The study, “…
Over 40% of adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in the U.S. who began off-label treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) became frequent users, with six or more courses in the first year, according to real-world data covering 1,225 patients. Use of standard treatments, namely corticosteroids and nonsteroidal immunosuppressives,…
‘Tis the season! The last month of the year is filled with various celebrations, parties, and gatherings, depending on your family dynamic and your beliefs. In them, people typically come together and enjoy good food with good friends, family, and co-workers. But what happens when you experience bulbar…
The presence of anti-titin antibodies, a type of blood protein, in patients with thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (MG) is related to more frequent hospitalizations, a study in South Korea has found. Thymoma is a type of tumor occurring in the thymus gland, a small organ in the chest that…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review to Argenx’s under-the-skin (subcutaneous) formulation of efgartigimod — the active ingredient in Vyvgart, the company’s approved treatment for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). If the subcutaneous formulation wins regulatory approval following that review, it would broaden the…
Can you believe we’re in the last week of November? To close out National Family Caregivers Month, I thought it might be fitting to hear from my caregiver, as I’ve written enough columns putting words in his mouth. I wanted to give him the opportunity to share his unique…
“Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.” — Norman Cousins Jan. 9, 2011 began like any other day. I had no idea that by nighttime, one of the greatest and longest relationships of my life would have begun. That evening, I saw the…
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is supporting a pilot project that aims to develop a simple and fast diagnostic lab test for myasthenia gravis (MG). With the one-year, $100,000 NIH award, researchers at the University of California, Davis, will work to develop an assay able to identify disease-causing antibodies…
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