Novel treatments for myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Advances in immunology over the last several years have provided insights into the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases such as generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). This has translated into the development of effective, rapidly acting, and targeted novel immune therapies. The two categories of new therapies available at present include the complement C5 inhibitors and the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) antagonists. The place of these drugs in the algorithm of MG treatment continues to evolve. Simultaneously, drug development proceeds, with other complement inhibitors, new B cell inhibitor therapy, chimeric antigen therapies and immune tolerizing therapies are in the pipeline. The treatment of gMG will continue to evolve; treatments for subgroups of patients including MuSK- ab+, seronegative and thymoma-associated MG are important areas for future development.

Keywords: Complement inhibitors; FcRn antagonists; Myasthenia gravis; Pathophysiology; Targeted treatment.