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Chen X, Qiu J, Gao Z, Liu B, Zhang C, Yu W, Yang J, Shen Y, Qi L, Yao X, Sun H, Yang X. Myasthenia gravis: Molecular mechanisms and promising therapeutic strategies. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 218:115872. [PMID: 37865142 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a type of autoimmune disease caused by the blockage of neuromuscular junction transmission owing to the attack of autoantibodies on transmission-related proteins. Related antibodies, such as anti-AChR, anti-MuSK and anti-LRP4 antibodies, can be detected in most patients with MG. Although traditional therapies can control most symptoms, several challenges remain to be addressed, necessitating the development of more effective and safe treatment strategies for MG. With the in-depth exploration on the mechanism and immune targets of MG, effective therapies, especially therapies using biologicals, have been reported recently. Given the important roles of immune cells, cytokines and intercellular interactions in the pathological process of MG, B-cell targeted therapy, T-cell targeted therapy, proteasome inhibitors targeting plasma cell, complement inhibitors, FcRn inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of MG. Although these novel therapies exert good therapeutic effects, they may weaken the immunity and increase the risk of infection in MG patients. This review elaborates on the pathogenesis of MG and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the strategies of traditional treatment and biologicals. In addition, this review emphasises that combined therapy may have better therapeutic effects and reducing the risk of side effects of treatments, which has great prospects for the treatment of MG. With the deepening of research on immunotherapy targets in MG, novel opportunities and challenges in the treatment of MG will be introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Jiayi Qiu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Zihui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Boya Liu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Weiran Yu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Jiawen Yang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Yuntian Shen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Lei Qi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Xinlei Yao
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China.
| | - Hualin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China.
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China.
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Yang J, Wu J, Han T, Lu H, Li F, Li L, Su S, Jiang P, Hou Z. Global research hotspots and frontiers of myasthenia gravis from 2002 to 2021: A bibliometric study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34002. [PMID: 37327308 PMCID: PMC10270528 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to utilize bibliometric and visual analysis techniques to identify hotspots and frontiers of research in myasthenia gravis (MG) and provide valuable references for future research. The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was used to retrieve literature data related to MG research, which was then analyzed using VOSviewer 1.6.18, CiteSpace 6.1.R3, and the Online Platform for Bibliometric Analysis. The analysis revealed 6734 publications distributed across 1612 journals and contributed by as many as 24,024 authors affiliated with 4708 institutions across 107 countries/regions. The number of annual publications and citations for MG research has steadily increased over the past 2 decades, with the last 2 years alone witnessing a remarkable increase in annual publications and citations to over 600 and 17,000, respectively. In terms of productivity, the United States emerged as the top producing country, while the University of Oxford ranked first in terms of research institutions. Vincent A was identified as the top contributor in terms of publications and citations. Muscle & Nerve and Neurology ranked first in publications and citations respectively, with clinical neurology and neurosciences among the main subject categories explored. The study also identified pathogenesis, eculizumab, thymic epithelial cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, thymectomy, MuSK antibodies, risk, diagnosis, and management as the current hot research topics in MG, while burst keywords like quality of life, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), rituximab, safety, nivolumab, cancer, and classification indicated the frontiers of MG research. This study effectively identifies the hotspots and frontiers of MG research, and offers valuable references for researchers interested in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Yang
- Yancheng TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Yancheng, China
| | - Jiaojiao Wu
- Xiangyu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Linyi, China
| | - Tingliang Han
- Yancheng TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Yancheng, China
| | - Hua Lu
- Yancheng TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Yancheng, China
| | - Fangcun Li
- Guilin Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guilin, China
| | - Leilei Li
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Shaoting Su
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Ping Jiang
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaomeng Hou
- Yancheng TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Yancheng, China
- Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
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Heo YA. Efgartigimod Alfa in Generalised Myasthenia Gravis: A Profile of Its Use. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:467-473. [PMID: 37000339 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-01000-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Intravenous efgartigimod alfa (also known as efgartigimod alfa-fcab in the USA; Vyvgart®) is the first neonatal Fc receptor antagonist approved in several countries worldwide, including the USA and EU for the treatment of generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive, and in Japan for the treatment of gMG regardless of antibody status. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 ADAPT trial in patients with gMG, efgartigimod alfa significantly and rapidly reduced disease burden and improved muscle strength and quality of life compared with placebo. The clinical benefits of efgartigimod alfa were durable and reproducible. Furthermore, in an interim analysis of the ongoing open-label phase 3 ADAPT+ extension trial, efgartigimod alfa provided consistent clinically meaningful improvements in patients with gMG. Efgartigimod alfa was generally well tolerated, with most adverse events being mild to moderate in severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-A Heo
- Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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Sánchez-Tejerina D, Sotoca J, Llaurado A, López-Diego V, Juntas-Morales R, Salvado M. New Targeted Agents in Myasthenia Gravis and Future Therapeutic Strategies. J Clin Med 2022; 11:6394. [PMID: 36362622 PMCID: PMC9658349 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11216394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disease for which multiple immunomodulatory therapies are available. Nevertheless, MG has a significant impact on patient quality of life. In recent years, experts' main efforts have focused on optimizing treatment strategies, since disease burden is considerably affected by their safety and tolerability profiles, especially in patients with refractory phenotypes. This article aims to offer neurologists caring for MG patients an overview of the most innovative targeted drugs specifically designed for this disease and summarizes the recent literature and more recent evidence on agents targeting B cells and plasmablasts, complement inhibitors, and neonatal fragment crystallizable receptor (FcRn) antagonists. Positive clinical trial results have been reported, and other studies are ongoing. Finally, we briefly discuss how the introduction of these novel targeted immunological therapies in a changing management paradigm would affect not only clinical outcomes, disease burden, safety, and tolerability, but also health spending in a condition that is increasingly managed based on a patient-centred model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria Salvado
- Clinic of Neuromuscular Disorders and Rare Diseases, Neurology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, European Reference Network for Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases EURO-NMD, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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Lazaridis K, Fernandez-Santoscoy M, Baltatzidou V, Andersson JO, Christison R, Grünberg J, Tzartos S, Löwenadler B, Fribert C. A Recombinant Acetylcholine Receptor α1 Subunit Extracellular Domain Is a Promising New Drug Candidate for Treatment Of Myasthenia Gravis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:809106. [PMID: 35720339 PMCID: PMC9204200 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.809106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a T-cell dependent antibody-mediated autoimmune disease in which the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) is the major autoantigen, comprising several T and B cell auto-epitopes. We hypothesized that an efficacious drug candidate for antigen-specific therapy in MG should comprise a broad range of these auto-epitopes and be administered in a noninflammatory and tolerogenic context. Methods We used a soluble mutated form of the extracellular domain of the α1 chain of the AChR (α1-ECDm), which represents the major portion of auto-epitopes involved in MG, and investigated, in a well-characterized rat model of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) whether its intravenous administration could safely and efficiently treat the autoimmune disease. Results We demonstrated that intravenous administration of α1-ECDm abrogates established EAMG, in a dose and time dependent manner, as assessed by clinical symptoms, body weight, and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) decrement. Importantly, the effect was more pronounced compared to drugs representing current standard of care for MG. The protein had a short plasma half-life, most of what could be recovered was sequestered in the liver, kidneys and spleen. Further, we did not observe any signs of toxicity or intolerability in animals treated with α1-ECDm. Conclusion We conclude that intravenous treatment with α1-ECDm is safe and effective in suppressing EAMG. α1-ECDm is in preclinical development as a promising new drug candidate for MG.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Socrates Tzartos
- Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.,Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, Athens, Greece
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Verschuuren JJGM, Palace J, Murai H, Tannemaat MR, Kaminski HJ, Bril V. Advances and ongoing research in the treatment of autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorders. Lancet Neurol 2022; 21:189-202. [DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(21)00463-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Abstract
Introduction: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated disease with diverse serology and clinical presentation. Currently, MG is managed by untargeted immunomodulatory agents. About 15% patients are refractory to these therapies. Several novel and targeted treatments are on the horizon. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody, is reported to be highly effective with widespread oof-label usage in MG, particularly in patients with antibody against muscle-specific kinase or refractory disease. However, a recent trial showed negative results. Compared to conventional oral immunosuppressive therapies used in MG, Rituximab has several benefits. Regular hematological monitoring is not required though serious side effects can occur. Current status of Rituximab in MG and newer immunosuppressants is discussed.Areas explored: Biologic features, clinical effectiveness, safety profile, and newer preparations of Rituximab.Expert opinion: Rituximab provides a promising option for management of MG, particularly in patients with muscle-specific kinase antibodies or those with refractory disease. Several knowledge gaps remain due to scarcity of data from randomized controlled studies. Despite lack of regulatory approval Rituximab has found widespread usage in MG. Large, well-designed studies are needed to assess the comparative efficacy of Rituximab and its optimal regimen in MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaeem A Siddiqi
- Division of Neurology, Dept of Medicine, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Wasim Khan
- Division of Neurology, Dept of Medicine, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Faraz S Hussain
- Division of Neurology, Dept of Medicine, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Canada
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Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune, neuromuscular disorder that produces disabling weakness through a compromise of neuromuscular transmission. The disease fulfills strict criteria of an antibody-mediated disease. Close to 90% of patients have antibodies directed towards the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) on the post-synaptic surface of skeletal muscle and another 5% to the muscle-specific kinase, which is involved in concentrating the AChR to the muscle surface of the neuromuscular junction. Conventional treatments of intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange reduce autoantibody levels to produce their therapeutic effect, while prednisone and immunosuppressives do so by moderating autoantibody production. None of these treatments were specifically developed for MG and have a range of adverse effects. The extensive advances in monoclonal antibody technology allowing specific modulation of biological pathways has led to a tremendous increase in the potential treatment options. For MG, monoclonal antibody therapeutics target the effector mechanism of complement inhibition and the reduction of antibody levels by FcRn inhibition. Antibodies directed against CD20 and signaling pathways, which support lymphocyte activity, have been used to reduce autoantibody production. Thus far, only eculizumab, an antibody against C5, has reached the clinic. We review the present status of monoclonal antibody-based treatments for MG that have entered human testing and offer the promise to transform treatment of MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawsan Alabbad
- Department of Neurology, George Washington University, 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
| | - Mohanad AlGaeed
- Department of Neurology, George Washington University, 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
| | - Patricia Sikorski
- Department of Neurology, George Washington University, 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
| | - Henry J Kaminski
- Department of Neurology, George Washington University, 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20008, USA.
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