Recent advance in treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease involving the acquired neuromuscular junction. Vast majority of patients with myasthenia gravis after conventional treatment (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, plasmapheresis, gammaglobulin, and immunosuppressants) has significantly improved prognosis; but, there is still a small portion of patients had refractory myasthenia gravis, they did not have effective treatment, and their prognosis is poor. Some recent studies suggest that novel immunomodulatory agents, secondary thymus expand dissection, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be in force. Key words: Myasthenia gravis; Refractory; Treatment