Myasthenia Gravis

The past decade has seen transformative developments in the treatment landscape of Myasthenia Gravis. New treatments with innovative mechanisms including B cell depletion, complement inhibitions, and neonatal FC receptor blockade are now available and offer the prospect of long-term disease remission.

Active and Recruiting

CA-NEU-96 Vivgard in IVIG (argenx)

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction, the connection between nerves and muscles. In MG, the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that interfere with the communication between nerves and muscles, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue.
 
This condition can be classified based on the type of antibodies present. Some patients test positive for AChR, MuSK, or LRP4 antibodies, while others may be seronegative, meaning no specific antibodies are detected. Clinically, MG is further divided into two main types: ocular, which affects only the eye muscles, and generalized, which involves multiple muscle groups throughout the body.

Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis typically presents with focal muscle weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Common symptoms include drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, weakness in the limbs or neck, and in severe cases, respiratory distress. The progression and severity of symptoms can vary significantly from person to person.
 
Although there is no cure for Myasthenia Gravis, effective treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is commonly used to provide temporary relief by modulating the immune response and reducing the activity of harmful antibodies.
 
A newer treatment option is Efgartigimod (Vivgart), a first-in-class therapy approved for patients with generalized MG who are AChR antibody-positive. Vivgart works by lowering the levels of disease-causing antibodies, offering a targeted approach to managing the condition.
 
Recently, CNO has initiated a clinical trial looking to confirm the therapeutic equivalence or superiority of Efgartigimod, a neonatal FC receptor blocker to IVIG, a standard treatment used in people with generalized seropositive Myasthenia Gravis.

Clinical Trials Presently Recruiting

Vivgard in IVIG (VIIM study)
Target Population: Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (AChR +), ages 18 to 80
For more information contact Victorine Sikati Foko at victorine.sikatifoko@neuro-outaouais.ca