[The efficacy of eculizumab against post-thymectomy exacerbations in thymoma associated myasthenia gravis (MG)]

Rinsho Shinkeigaku. 2022 Apr 27;62(4):277-280. doi: 10.5692/clinicalneurol.cn-001682. Epub 2022 Mar 29.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We report a 62-year-old woman with thymoma associated myasthenia gravis (MG). She had significant dysphagia and was treated with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), immunoadsorption plasmapheresis (IAPP), and immunosuppressive drugs, and the extended thymectomy. Her symptoms gradually improved, but 3 weeks after thymectomy, her bulbar symptoms recurred. Although she was treated with repeated IVIG and IAPP, her symptom remained. Finally, after starting eculizumab did her symptoms go into complete remission. This case suggests the efficacy of anti-complement therapy for postoperative exacerbation of MG.

Keywords: anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody; complement; eculizumab; myasthenia gravis; thymoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / complications
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / complications
  • Thymectomy
  • Thymoma* / complications
  • Thymoma* / diagnosis
  • Thymoma* / surgery
  • Thymus Neoplasms* / complications
  • Thymus Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Thymus Neoplasms* / surgery

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • eculizumab