B Cell Targeted Treatment In Myasthenia Gravis: A Phase II Trial of Rituximab In Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder of neuromuscular transmission with an estimated annual incidence of about 1-2 per 100,000 and prevalence as high as 20-50 per 100,000. Common symptoms include a drooping eyelid, double vision, slurred speech, difficulty chewing and swallowing, weakness in the arms and legs, chronic muscle fatigue, and difficulty breathing. Despite current therapies a subset of patients remain medically refractory or have intolerable medication adverse effects. There is need for another agent in the management of MG as there are few effective drugs. Safe, well-tolerated, effective and steroid-sparing therapeutics are very desirable.
The purpose of the study was to find out the effect and safety of a new use of the drug rituximab in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients who are on prednisone. NN103 Beat-MG was the first prospective, placebo-controlled trial exploring the role of B cell depletion therapy in MG. This trial has completed enrollment and study activity, and topline results are available at the link to the manuscript below.
NN103 was supported by NINDS (U01 NS084495) and the study intervention was provided by Genentech Pharmaceuticals.