Current and emerging treatments for the management of myasthenia gravis

rrent and emerging treatments for the management of myasthenia gravis Review (8433) Total Article Views Authors: Sathasivam S Published Date July 2011 Volume 2011:7 Pages 313 - 323 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S14015 Sivakumar Sathasivam The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Liverpool, UK Abstract: 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.