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Ruan Z, Tang Y, Gao T, Li C, Guo R, Sun C, Huang X, Li Z, Chang T. Efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in patients with refractory generalized myasthenia gravis. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14793. [PMID: 38894580 PMCID: PMC11187874 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to compare the efficacy of tocilizumab with conventional immunotherapy in refractory patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR-Ab+) generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). METHODS This single-center prospective cohort study was based on patients from an MG registry study in China and conducted from February 10, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Adult refractory patients with AChR-Ab+ gMG were assigned to tocilizumab or conventional immunotherapy groups. The primary efficacy outcome was the mean difference of MG activities of daily living (MG-ADL) change at weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 corresponding to that at the baseline between the two groups. A generalized estimating equation model was used for the primary outcome analysis. Safety was assessed based on adverse events. RESULTS Of 34 eligible patients, 20 (mean [standard deviation] age, 53.8 [21.9] years; 12 [60.0%] female) received tocilizumab and 14 received conventional immunotherapy (45.8 [18.0] years; 8 [57.1%] female). The tocilizumab group had greater reduction in MG-ADL score at week 4 (adjusted mean difference, -3.4; 95% CI, -4.7 to -2.0; p < 0.001) than the conventional immunotherapy group, with significant differences sustained through week 24 (adjusted mean difference, -4.5; 95% CI, -6.4 to -2.6; p < 0.001). At week 24, the proportion of patients achieving higher levels of MG-ADL (up to 7-point reduction) and QMG (up to 11-point reduction) scores improvement was significantly greater with tocilizumab. Tocilizumab had acceptable safety profiles without severe or unexpected safety issues. CONCLUSION Tocilizumab is safe and effective in improving the MG-ADL score and reducing prednisone dose in refractory AChR-Ab+ gMG, suggesting tocilizumab has the potential to be a valuable therapeutic option for such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Ruan
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Yonglan Tang
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Ting Gao
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Chunhong Li
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Rongjing Guo
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Chao Sun
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Xiaoxi Huang
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Zhuyi Li
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Ting Chang
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu HospitalThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
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Moura J, Fernandes J, Lima MJ, Sousa AP, Samões R, Martins Silva A, Santos E. Treatment strategies and treatment-related adverse events in MG according to the age of onset. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1277420. [PMID: 38529037 PMCID: PMC10961456 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1277420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Early-onset (EOMG) and late-onset (LOMG) are distinct groups of MG patients. It is unclear if treatment strategies and treatment-related adverse events may differ according to the age of MG onset. Methods This single-center retrospective study includes all MG patients followed at a tertiary center since 2007. We reviewed the electronic clinical records. Results In total, 212 patients were identified, 142 (67.0%) females, with a median disease duration of 10 years. The median age of symptom onset was 42.0 (26.0-64.5) years, with 130 (61.3%) EOMG cases and 82 (38.7%) LOMG. EOMG were more frequently female, had longer disease duration and often more generalized MG (p < 0.001). Comorbidities were significantly more frequent in LOMG (67.1%) compared to EOMG (53.1%) (p = 0.002). Steroid-related adverse effects motivating the switch to steroid-sparing agents (82.0%) were different between groups, with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and malignancies being more common in LOMG. At the same time, osteoporosis and dyspepsia were more frequent in EOMG (p < 0.001). The most common first-line choice was azathioprine (45.8%), and rituximab was used in 4 patients (1.9%). Conclusion Our study shows that treatment modalities are similar between EOMG and LOMG, while steroid-related adverse events appear to be distinct.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Moura
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
- Unit of Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Fernandes
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Lima
- Department of Neurology, Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Sousa
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Samões
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
- Unit of Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Martins Silva
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
- Unit of Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal
| | - Ernestina Santos
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
- Unit of Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal
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Huan X, Chen J, Zhong H, Xu Y, Wang Y, Jiang H, Song J, Yan C, Xi J, Zou Z, Zheng J, Ruan Z, Tan S, Luo L, Luo S, Zhao C. Clinical outcome and peripheral immune profile of myasthenic crisis with omicron infections: A prospective cohort study. Clin Immunol 2024; 259:109879. [PMID: 38142901 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109879] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
The impact of Omicron infections on the clinical outcome and immune responses of myasthenia gravis (MG) remained largely unknown. From a prospective multicenter MG cohort (n = 189) with 197 myasthenic crisis (MC), we finally included 41 independent MG patients to classify into two groups: the Omicron Group (n = 13) and the Control Group (n = 28). In this matched cohort study, all-cause mortality was 7.69% (1/13) in Omicron Group and 14.29% (4/28) in Control Group. A higher proportion of elevated serum IL-6 was identified in the Omicron Group (88.89% vs 52.38%, P = 0.049). In addition, the proportions of CD3+CD8+T in lymphocytes and Tregs in CD3+CD4+ T cells were significantly elevated in the Omicron Group (both P = 0.0101). After treatment, the Omicron Group exhibited a marked improvement in MG-ADL score (P = 0.026) and MG-QoL-15 (P = 0.0357). MCs with Omicron infections were associated with elevated serum IL-6 and CD3+CD8+T response. These patients tended to present a better therapeutic response after fast-acting therapies and anti-IL-6 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Huan
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jialin Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Huahua Zhong
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yafang Xu
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Haoqin Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jie Song
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Chong Yan
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jianying Xi
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zhangyu Zou
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Jianming Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zhe Ruan
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, The Air Force Medical University, Xi'an 710000, China
| | - Song Tan
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Lijun Luo
- Department of Neurology, Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Sushan Luo
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Chongbo Zhao
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
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