title: Advances in myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of acquired myasthenia gravis (MG) are reviewed. Increased awareness about the need for more uniform methods of reporting treatment trials for MG has prompted systematic review of the literature and inspired an effort to develop better classifications and disease-specific outcome measures. New antibodies have been discovered in patients with seronegative MG, possibly defining an immunologically distinct form of the disease. A new immunosuppressant, mycophenolate mofetil, may be an additional and safe option in the treatment of MG. Other work supports the possibility of developing a vaccine against MG suitable for trial in humans.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, 932 Morreene Road, Room 230, Durham, NC 27705, USA. ciafa001@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ciafaloni
authors.forename: Donald B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D009462:Neurology / Q000639:trends*; D013934:Thymectomy
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents