Myasthenia Gravis and Its Immunotherapies

Abstract

Autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare disorder of the neuromuscular transmission with resulting increased muscular fatigue, often significantly impairs the quality of life in affected patients. With better understanding of its underlying pathophysiology in recent years, a growing number of therapies can be used to lessen the disease burden in patients. This review summarizes the current understanding of clinically important pathophysiological aspects of MG. We highlight the historical journey from the first therapeutic attempts with acetylcholine esterase inhibitors by Mary Walker in the 1930s to the development of targeted monoclonal antibodies or fragments in recent years. This review covers the standard therapy regimen, but also aims to provide an outlook on new classes of therapeutics currently in the pipeline and available in clinical practice in the near future.