title: Long-term results of tacrolimus in cyclosporine- and prednisone-dependent myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Seventy-nine patients with cyclosporine- and prednisone-dependent myasthenia gravis (MG) after thymectomy received tacrolimus for a mean of 2.5 +/- 0.8 years. Prednisone was withdrawn in all but two patients. Anti-acetylcholine antibodies and MG score for disease severity decreased significantly and muscular strength increased by 39%. Complete stable remission was achieved in 5% of patients and pharmacologic remission in 87.3%. All patients resumed full activities of daily living.
authors.affiliation: Myasthenia Gravis Unit, Department of Surgery, Hospital General Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. jmponseti@vhebron.net
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ponseti
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Azem
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fort
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López-Cano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vilallonga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buera
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cervera
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Armengol
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001259:Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology; D012074:Remission Induction; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone; D016559:Tacrolimus