Neurológia pre prax 6/2025
First experiences with treatment using efgartigimod at the Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Ružinov Hospital, Bratislava
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that affects neuromuscular transmission. Conservative treatment of generalized MG usually involves combined immunosuppression with corticosteroids and non-steroidal immunosuppressants, along with symptomatic treatment using cholinesterase inhibitors. As interventional immunotherapies, intravenous immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis are used. It is estimated that up to 10–15 % of patients suffer from a refractory form of the disease with insufficient response to conservative treatment. The development of new biological drugs brings new therapeutic options specifically for patients in whom standard treatment has not led to satisfactory disease control. Since August 2024, efgartigimod alfa, a neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) inhibitor, has been included among the medicines reimbursed by public health insurance in the Slovak Republic. In this publication, we share our initial experience with administering efgartigimod to patients with generalized anti-AChR (acetylcholine receptor) seropositive MG.
Keywords: refractory myasthenia gravis, efgartigimod, FcRn, MG-ADL, biologic treatment
