Work

Intravenous Efgartigimod Alfa as Initial Monotherapy for Disabling Ocular Myasthenia in an Elderly Patient with Multiple Comorbidities

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is one of the most common neuromuscular disorders. It is an antibody-mediated autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction, presenting with fluctuating muscle weakness that commonly affects the ocular, bulbar, proximal, and respiratory muscles. Treating MG in the older population with preexisting comorbidities can be challenging. Intravenous efgartigimod alfa (EA) was successfully used as an initial monotherapy for a 90-year-old woman with acetylcholine receptor seropositive MG and stage IV colon adenocarcinoma who was referred for visually disabling bilateral eyelid ptosis. Standard MG therapy was considered but not chosen due to relative contraindications and anticipated adverse effects. EA infusions were well tolerated and corrected her ptosis after two weeks of treatment. EA infusion may be considered the first-line therapy for selected patients with seropositive generalized MG who have disabling ocular symptoms.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.74768

Authors: Karen Inzirillo, Octavio Carranza, Marc A Swerdloff

Institutions: Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Baptist Health South Florida, Florida Atlantic University

Language: English

Topic: Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4404840389