Current and emerging treatments for the management of myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Sivakumar SathasivamThe Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Liverpool, UKAbstract: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. There are several treatment options, including symptomatic treatment (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors), short-term immunosuppression (corticosteroids), long-term immunosuppression (azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab, tacrolimus), rapid acting short-term immunomodulation (intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange), and long-term immunomodulation (thymectomy). This review explores in detail these different treatment options. Potential future treatments are also discussed.Keywords: acetylcholinesterase inhibition, immunosuppression, immunomodulation, thymectomy