Myasthenia Gravis Clinical Trials 2023

What Are Myasthenia Gravis Clinical Trials?

Myasthenia gravis can be best described as a neuromuscular and chronic autoimmune disease that results in the weakness of the skeletal muscles and rapid fatigue. The primary cause of the condition is neuromuscular transmission antibody mediated blockade. As this is an autoimmune condition, the body's immune system damages the muscles and nerve communication, making muscles tired and weak.

Myasthenia gravis affects muscles that are controlled voluntarily, such as muscles controlling:

• Facial expressions
• Eyelids and eyes
• Speech
• Chewing and swallowing movements

Myasthenia gravis worsens when the muscles affected are used and improves with rest. Hence, muscle weakness caused by myasthenia gravis comes and goes. However, the symptoms may progress over time. These include drooping eyelids, eye muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, impaired speech, weakness of legs, fingers, hands, and arms, and blurred vision.

Myasthenia gravis clinical trials are research studies conducted to identify breakthrough methods to screen, prevent and treat the condition. These trials also provide valuable information to researchers to understand how the condition impacts patient lives and ways to alleviate symptoms for improved quality of life.

Why Is Myasthenia Gravis Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

Myasthenia gravis clinical trials are being performed consistently by multiple research institutions worldwide for numerous reasons. Statistics show that myasthenia gravis affects nearly twenty in 100,000 individuals across the US. It affects both women and men and across all ethnic and racial groups. However, it is most commonly diagnosed in women under the age of 40 and men above 60 years. Through clinical trials, researchers can find a cure for this condition because, at present, there are only treatments to alleviate symptoms of myasthenia gravis in patients and no cure.

Furthermore, myasthenia gravis clinical trials are also needed to evaluate new drugs' efficacy, safety, and potential side effects. And how new treatments can increase life expectancy in patients and improve overall well-being.

What Are the Types of Treatments Available for Myasthenia Gravis?

Myasthenia gravis (MG) can be controlled and managed through multiple therapies. Among the most beneficial therapy is Thymectomy. It is a procedure in which the thymus gland is removed. It is a small gland in the chest. However, in patients with MG, it is unusually large. Removal of this gland can alleviate MG symptoms and rebalance their immune system.

Other MG treatments include:

• Monoclonal antibody
• Anticholinesterase medication
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• Intravenous Immunoglobulin

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials for Myasthenia Gravis?

2020: Clinical Effects of the Self-administered Subcutaneous Complement Inhibitor Zilucoplan in Patients With Moderate to Severe Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: This research was carried out to determine the clinical effects of self-administered inhibitor macrocyclic-peptide ( Zilucoplan) in patients with moderate to severe MG. The findings showed that Zilucoplan yielded positive and rapid patient results over 12 weeks. The inhibition appeared to be superior and submaximal. Moreover, it was well-tolerated among patients.

2021: Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability of Efgartigimod in Patients With Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (ADAPT): The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Efgartigimod in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis. It was a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial with 167 patients above 18 years of age with MG-ADL scores of at least five and who were on a stable dose of one of the treatments available for generalized myasthenia gravis. After the trial, it was concluded that Efgartigimod was efficacious and well-tolerated in patients with generalized MG.