Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2026 May 8;268:109465. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2026.109465. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Efgartigimod, a neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) antagonist, has been shown to reduce pathogenic immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies, notably anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies, in myasthenia gravis (MG). While clinical trials have established its safety and efficacy, real-world evidence regarding its therapeutic effectiveness and steroid-sparing potential remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the real-world efficacy and steroid-sparing benefits of efgartigimod in the clinical management of MG.
METHODS: Forty-one patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) were enrolled in this prospective study. Participants received efgartigimod treatment and were followed for 26 weeks. Clinical outcomes, primarily Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores and corticosteroid dosages, were systematically evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using R version 4.5.0.
RESULTS: Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on treatment cycles: 22 received two cycles of efgartigimod, while 19 received a single cycle. Bulbar and respiratory symptoms improved within two weeks, whereas ocular and limb weakness required a more prolonged treatment duration to achieve clinical benefit. Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores demonstrated a significant decline, with a more rapid response observed in severe cases. By Week 26, the proportion of patients requiring more than 16 mg/d of methylprednisolone decreased from 63.4% at baseline to 14.6%. The two-cycle cohort exhibited a lower mean cumulative methylprednisolone dose (4861.50 mg vs. 5469.24 mg). No treatment-related adverse effects were observed.
CONCLUSION: Efgartigimod demonstrated variable clinical responses across different muscle groups, with early improvements in bulbar and respiratory function alongside significant steroid-sparing advantages. Given that baseline MG-ADL scores serve as a reliable predictor of the time to achieve minimal symptom expression (MSE), and considering that repeated treatment cycles further augment therapeutic efficacy, efgartigimod represents a promising steroid-sparing immunomodulatory strategy for the management of MG.
PMID:42127467 | DOI:10.1016/j.clineuro.2026.109465
