Dramatic Improvements in Ocular Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis in Two Patients Who Transitioned from Efgartigimod to Ravulizumab: A Case Study


Topic:

Clinical Management

Poster Number: P370

Author(s):

Betty Mintz, MD, Neurology Professional Services, Berkshire Medical Center, Xiao Weng, MD, Trinity Health of New England Medical Group

Several biologic therapies have recently been approved for the treatment of acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (AChR+ gMG), including neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) inhibitors and complement component C5 inhibitor therapies (C5ITs). There is limited real-world data to inform transitioning patients between these newer biologic therapies or tapering concomitant corticosteroid use on them. Since ocular MG symptoms, often first to manifest, are frequently reported by patients to significantly impact quality of life (QoL), there is a need to understand the response of these symptoms to newer therapies. Physician-reported electronic medical records from two patients who transitioned from efgartigimod (FcRn inhibitor) to ravulizumab (C5IT) were analyzed. Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores and corticosteroid doses were monitored throughout treatment. Patient A presented with ocular MG (MG-ADL=4), could not tolerate mycophenolate mofetil, and was on corticosteroids (40 mg qod) prior to efgartigimod initiation. MG-ADL worsened to 8 after 1 cycle of efgartigimod despite increasing corticosteroids to 100 mg qod and symptoms generalized to the limbs, prompting a transition to ravulizumab. Exams were normal after 2 ravulizumab doses, and after 4 doses, the patient achieved minimal symptom expression (MSE) (MG-ADL=0) and reduced corticosteroids to 35 mg qod. Patient B presented with ocular MG prior to starting efgartigimod (MG-ADL=4). MG-ADL improved to 1 after 2 efgartigimod cycles, but ocular symptoms returned during cycle 4, and the patient’s disease generalized (MG-ADL=7) after 5 cycles. This lack of sustained response prompted a transition to ravulizumab, and diplopia resolved within 1 week of initiation. MG-ADL improved to 2 after 2 doses and reached MSE (MG-ADL=1) after 5 doses, with the patient noting drastic improvements in QoL. The two patients in this case study experienced early and sustained improvement, MSE, near-complete resolution of ocular symptoms, and ability to taper corticosteroids after transitioning from efgartigimod to ravulizumab.