What is myasthenia gravis (MG)?
MG Definition
MG is a neuromuscular autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness, which worsens with exertion, and fatigue. MG can be categorized as ocular, affecting only the eyes, and generalized, which can also involve the muscles of the limbs, mouth and throat, and respiratory system. Within 2 years from the start of ocular symptoms, up to 80% of people develop generalized MG.
Symptoms of generalized MG vary from person to person but usually include muscles that tire easily, weakness and fatigue, which can result in trouble speaking, swallowing or chewing, shortness of breath, difficulty lifting arms above head, gripping heavy objects, climbing stairs, and, most severely, respiratory failure. Known as a myasthenic crisis, respiratory failure can be life-threatening, requiring admission to an intensive care unit and breathing support. About 1 in 5 people with MG will experience at least one myasthenic crisis.
Symptoms of generalized MG vary from person to person but usually include muscles that tire easily, weakness and fatigue, which can result in trouble speaking, swallowing or chewing, shortness of breath, difficulty lifting arms above head, gripping heavy objects, climbing stairs, and, most severely, respiratory failure. Known as a myasthenic crisis, respiratory failure can be life-threatening, requiring admission to an intensive care unit and breathing support. About 1 in 5 people with MG will experience at least one myasthenic crisis.
MG Definition
MG is a neuromuscular autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness, which worsens with exertion, and fatigue. MG can be categorized as ocular, affecting only the eyes, and generalized, which can also involve the muscles of the limbs, mouth and throat, and respiratory system. Within 2 years from the start of ocular symptoms, up to 80% of people develop generalized MG.
Symptoms of generalized MG vary from person to person but usually include muscles that tire easily, weakness and fatigue, which can result in trouble speaking, swallowing or chewing, shortness of breath, difficulty lifting arms above head, gripping heavy objects, climbing stairs, and, most severely, respiratory failure. Known as a myasthenic crisis, respiratory failure can be life-threatening, requiring admission to an intensive care unit and breathing support. About 1 in 5 people with MG will experience at least one myasthenic crisis.
Symptoms of generalized MG vary from person to person but usually include muscles that tire easily, weakness and fatigue, which can result in trouble speaking, swallowing or chewing, shortness of breath, difficulty lifting arms above head, gripping heavy objects, climbing stairs, and, most severely, respiratory failure. Known as a myasthenic crisis, respiratory failure can be life-threatening, requiring admission to an intensive care unit and breathing support. About 1 in 5 people with MG will experience at least one myasthenic crisis.
Who it affects
MG affects an estimated 37 out of every 100,000 people in the United States. MG can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, or age, but it is more common in women under the age of 40 and men over the age of 60.
Who it affects
MG affects an estimated 37 out of every 100,000 people in the United States. MG can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, or age, but it is more common in women under the age of 40 and men over the age of 60.
MG Cause
MG is caused by antibodies produced by cells of the immune system called B cells, or plasma cells. Normally, antibodies help defend against infections, but in autoimmune diseases like MG, they mistakenly target the body's own proteins.
In MG, B cells produce autoantibodies against proteins in the neuromuscular junction, the communication point between nerves and muscles. The most common target is the acetylcholine receptor on muscles. When acetylcholine receptors are blocked by autoantibodies, the muscles receive fewer signals and tire easily, leading to muscle weakness.
In MG, B cells produce autoantibodies against proteins in the neuromuscular junction, the communication point between nerves and muscles. The most common target is the acetylcholine receptor on muscles. When acetylcholine receptors are blocked by autoantibodies, the muscles receive fewer signals and tire easily, leading to muscle weakness.
MG Cause
MG is caused by antibodies produced by cells of the immune system called B cells, or plasma cells. Normally, antibodies help defend against infections, but in autoimmune diseases like MG, they mistakenly target the body's own proteins.
In MG, B cells produce autoantibodies against proteins in the neuromuscular junction, the communication point between nerves and muscles. The most common target is the acetylcholine receptor on muscles. When acetylcholine receptors are blocked by autoantibodies, the muscles receive fewer signals and tire easily, leading to muscle weakness.
In MG, B cells produce autoantibodies against proteins in the neuromuscular junction, the communication point between nerves and muscles. The most common target is the acetylcholine receptor on muscles. When acetylcholine receptors are blocked by autoantibodies, the muscles receive fewer signals and tire easily, leading to muscle weakness.
MG Diagnosis
MG is usually diagnosed by a neurologist or neuromuscular specialist. To diagnose, the doctor will:
- Review the patient's symptoms and medical history
- Perform a physical and neurologic exam
- Order blood tests to check for autoantibodies like those targeting acetylcholine receptors
- Perform electrophysiological tests to check muscle function
MG Diagnosis
MG is usually diagnosed by a neurologist or neuromuscular specialist. To diagnose, the doctor will:
- Review the patient's symptoms and medical history
- Perform a physical and neurologic exam
- Order blood tests to check for autoantibodies like those targeting acetylcholine receptors
- Perform electrophysiological tests to check muscle function
MG Treatment
The goals of treatment are to prevent substantial disability, increase survival, prevent treatment-related adverse events, and improve quality of life. Your doctor can discuss with you the variety of treatment options for MG, including the benefits and risks of such options.
Existing treatment approaches:
Existing treatment approaches:
- Treat symptoms of muscle weakness, such as AChE (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitors.
- Treat the immune system, such as glucocorticoids, steroid-sparing immunosuppressants, IVIg (intravenous immunoglobulin), neonatal Fc receptor inhibitors, and complement inhibitors.
- May include a procedure called thymectomy, which removes the thymus, an organ involved in antibody production.
The KYSA-6 clinical trial is exploring a novel treatment, chimeric antigen receptor or CAR T-cell therapy, which uses a patient's own immune cells to target B cells and treat their disease.
MG Treatment
The goals of treatment are to prevent substantial disability, increase survival, prevent treatment-related adverse events, and improve quality of life. Your doctor can discuss with you the variety of treatment options for MG, including the benefits and risks of such options.
Existing treatment approaches:
Existing treatment approaches:
- Treat symptoms of muscle weakness, such as AChE (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitors.
- Treat the immune system, such as glucocorticoids, steroid-sparing immunosuppressants, IVIg (intravenous immunoglobulin), neonatal Fc receptor inhibitors, and complement inhibitors.
- May include a procedure called thymectomy, which removes the thymus, an organ involved in antibody production.
The KYSA-6 clinical trial is exploring a novel treatment, chimeric antigen receptor or CAR T-cell therapy, which uses a patient's own immune cells to target B cells and treat their disease.
Contact us about KYSA-6
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