Effect of Lower Extremity Nerve Decompression in Patients with Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: The DNND Randomized, Observation Group- and Placebo Surgery-controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of nerve decompression on pain in patients with lower extremity painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Currently, no treatment provides lasting relief for patients with DPN. Benefits of nerve decompression remain inconclusive. METHODS: This double-blinded, observation- and same-patient sham surgery-controlled randomized trial enrolled patients aged 18-80 years with lower extremity painful DPN who failed one-year of medical treatment. Patients were randomized to nerve decompression- or observation-group (2:1). Decompression-group patients were further randomized and blinded to nerve decompression in either right or left leg and sham surgery in the opposite leg. Pain (11-point Likert score) was compared between decompression and observation groups and between decompressed versus sham legs at 12 and 56 months. RESULTS: Of 2987 screened patients, 78 were randomized. At 12 months, compared with controls (n=37), both right-decompression-group (n=22) and left-decompression-group (n=18) reported lower pain (mean difference for both, -4.46; [95% CI, -6.34 to -2.58 and -6.48 to -2.45 respectively]; P<0.0001). Decompressed and sham legs equally improved. At 56 months, compared with controls (n=14), pain was lower in both the right-decompression-group (n=20) (mean difference, -7.65; [95% CI, -9.87 to -5.44]; P<0.0001) and left-decompression-group (n=16) (mean difference, -7.26; [95% CI, -9.60 to -4.91]; P<0.0001). Mean pain score was lower in decompressed versus sham legs (mean difference, 1.57 [95% CI, 0.46 to 2.67]; P=0.0002). CONCLUSION: Although nerve decompression was associated with reduced pain, the benefit of surgical decompression needs further investigation since a placebo effect may be responsible for part or all of these effects.

Serum metabolomics of treatment response in myasthenia gravis.

OBJECTIVE: High-dose prednisone use, lasting several months or longer, is the primary initial therapy for myasthenia gravis (MG). Upwards of a third of patients do not respond to treatment. Currently no biomarkers can predict clinical responsiveness to corticosteroid treatment. We conducted a discovery-based study to identify treatment responsive biomarkers in MG using sera obtained at study entry to the thymectomy clinical trial (MGTX), an NIH-sponsored randomized, controlled study of thymectomy plus prednisone versus prednisone alone. METHODS: We applied ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electro-spray quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry to obtain comparative serum metabolomic and lipidomic profiles at study entry to correlate with treatment response at 6 months. Treatment response was assessed using validated outcome measures of minimal manifestation status (MMS), MG-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL), Quantitative MG (QMG) score, or a strictly defined composite measure of response. RESULTS: Increased serum levels of phospholipids were associated with treatment response as assessed by QMG, MMS, and the Responders classification, but all measures showed limited overlap in metabolomic profiles, in particular the MG-ADL. A panel including histidine, free fatty acid (13:0), γ-cholestenol and guanosine was highly predictive of the strictly defined treatment response measure. The AUC in Responders' prediction for these markers was 0.90 irrespective of gender, age, thymectomy or baseline prednisone use. Pathway analysis suggests that xenobiotic metabolism could play a major role in treatment resistance. There was no association with outcome and gender, age, thymectomy or baseline prednisone use. INTERPRETATION: We have defined a metabolomic and lipidomic profile that can now undergo validation as a treatment predictive marker for MG patients undergoing corticosteroid therapy. Metabolomic profiles of outcome measures had limited overlap consistent with their assessing distinct aspects of treatment response and supporting unique biological underpinning for each outcome measure. Interindividual variation in prednisone metabolism may be a determinate of how well patients respond to treatment.

Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Thymectomy in the Myasthenia Gravis Patient Registry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate patient attitudes and beliefs toward thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG). METHODS: The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America administered a questionnaire to the MG Patient Registry, an ongoing longitudinal survey of adult MG patients. Questions assessed reasons for or against thymectomy and how hypothetical scenarios would have affected their decision. RESULTS: Of 621 respondents, 190 (31%) reported a history of thymectomy. Of those who underwent thymectomy for nonthymomatous MG, 97 (51.6%) ranked symptom improvement as most important and 100 (53.2%) ranked reducing medication as least important. Among 431 nonthymectomy patients, the most frequent reason for not undergoing thymectomy was that their doctor did not discuss it (152 of 431 = 35.2%) and 235 (56.8%) said that they would have considered it more strongly if their doctor spent more time discussing it. CONCLUSIONS: Thymectomies are motivated more by symptoms than by medication, and a lack of neurologist discussion is the most common barrier to thymectomy.

Phase 2 trial in acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive myasthenia gravis of transition from intravenous to subcutaneous immunoglobulin: The MGSCIg study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Data on maintenance therapy with subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) in myasthenia gravis (MG) are limited. We report on transitioning acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive (Ab+) MG patients on stable intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) regimens as part of routine clinical care to SCIg 1:1.2. METHODS: This multicenter North American open-label prospective investigator-initiated study had two components: the IVIg Stabilization Period (ISP) enrolling patients already on IVIg as part of routine clinical care (Weeks -10 to -1), followed by transition of stable MG subjects to SCIg in the Experimental Treatment Period (ETP; Weeks 0 to 12). We hypothesized that >65% of patients entering the ETP would have a stable Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score from Week 0 to Week 12. Secondary outcome measures included other efficacy measures, safety, tolerability, IgG levels, and treatment satisfaction. RESULTS: We recruited 23 patients in the ISP, and 22 entered the ETP. A total of 12 subjects (54.5%) were female, and 18 (81.8%) were White, with mean age 51.4 ± 17 years. We obtained Week 12 ETP QMG data on 19 of 22; one subject withdrew from ETP owing to clinical deterioration, and two subjects withdrew due to dislike of needles. On primary analysis, 19 of 22 participants (86.4%, 95% confidence interval = 0.72-1.00) were treatment successes using last observation carried forward (p = 0.018). Secondary efficacy measures supported MG stability. SCIg was safe and well tolerated, and IgG levels were stable. Treatment satisfaction was comparable between ISP and ETP. CONCLUSIONS: MG patients on IVIg as part of their routine clinical care remained stable on monthly IVIg dosage, and most maintained similar disease stability on SCIg.

Phase 2 Trial of Rituximab in Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: The BeatMG Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether rituximab is safe and potentially beneficial, warranting further investigation in an efficacy trial for acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized MG (AChR-Ab+ gMG). METHODS: The B-Cell Targeted Treatment in MG (BeatMG) study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase-2 trial that utilized a futility design. Individuals 21-90 years of age, with AChR-Ab+ gMG (MG Foundation of America Class II-IV) and receiving prednisone ≥15 mg/day were eligible. The primary outcome was a measure of steroid-sparing effect, defined as the proportion achieving ≥75% reduction in mean daily prednisone dose in the 4-weeks prior to week 52 and with clinical improvement or no significant worsening as compared to the 4-week period prior to randomization. The co-primary outcome was safety. Secondary outcomes included MG-specific clinical assessments. Fifty-two individuals were randomized (1:1) to either a two-cycle rituximab/placebo regimen, with follow-up through 52-weeks. RESULTS: Of the 52 participants included, mean (±SD) age at enrollment was 55.1 (±17.1) years; 23 (44.2%) were female, and 31 (59.6%) were MGFA Class II. The mean (±SD) baseline prednisone dose was 22.1 (±9.7) mg/day. The primary steroid-sparing outcome was achieved in 60% of those on rituximab vs. 56% on placebo. The study reached its futility endpoint (p=0.03) suggesting that the pre-defined clinically meaningful improvement of 30% due to rituximab over placebo was unlikely to be achieved in a subsequent, larger trial. No safety issues identified. CONCLUSIONS: While rituximab was safe and well-tolerated, these results suggest that there is a low probability of observing the defined clinically meaningful steroid-sparing effect over a 12-month period in a phase-3 trial of mild-moderately symptomatic AChR-Ab+ gMG. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class I evidence that for mild-to-moderate AChR-Ab+ gMG, compared with placebo, rituximab is safe but unlikely to reduce steroid use by an absolute difference of at least 30% at 1 year. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02110706.

IgG regulation through FcRn blocking: A novel mechanism for the treatment of myasthenia gravis.

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is an MHC class I-like molecule that is widely distributed in mammalian organs, tissues, and cells. FcRn is critical to maintaining immunoglobulin G (IgG) and albumin levels through rescuing these molecules from lysosomal degradation. IgG autoantibodies are associated with many autoimmune diseases, including myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare neuromuscular autoimmune disease that causes debilitating and, in its generalized form (gMG), potentially life-threatening muscle weakness. IgG autoantibodies are directly pathogenic in MG and target neuromuscular junction proteins, causing neuromuscular transmission failure. Treatment approaches that reduce autoantibody levels, such as therapeutic plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin, have been shown to be effective for gMG patients but are not indicated as ongoing maintenance therapies and can be associated with burdensome side effects. Agents that block FcRn-mediated recycling of IgG represent a rational and promising approach for the treatment of gMG. Blocking FcRn allows targeted reduction of all IgG subtypes without decreasing concentrations of other Ig isotypes; therefore, FcRn blocking could be a safe and effective treatment strategy for a broad population of gMG patients. Several FcRn-blocking antibodies and one antibody Fc fragment have been developed and are currently in various stages of clinical development. This article describes the mechanism of FcRn blockade as a novel approach for IgG-mediated disease therapy and reviews promising clinical data using such FcRn blockers for the treatment of gMG.

Validation of Spanish version of 15-item myasthenia gravis quality-of-life questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to achieve the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the MG-QOL15R questionnaire into Spanish and the analysis of its psychometric properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited patients with MG, ≥18 years old, whose mother tongue was Spanish. After the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the MG-QOL15-R, the following tests were performed: internal consistency using the Cronbach-α coefficient and corrected item-total correlations; reproducibility with a test-retest analysis using intraclass correlation coefficients; and concurrent validity using Spearman's correlation coefficient of the Spanish language MG-QOL15R-S, Myasthenia Gravis Activity of Daily Living (MG-ADL) and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) scores. As an approximation to construct validity, the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was performed between MG-QOL15R-S scores according to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America classification. RESULTS: A total of 83 MG patients were enrolled, mean age 48.19 ± 17.25 years; 58 (69.9%) were women. The mean MG-QOL15R-S score was 11.3 ± 7.1. Cronbach-α coefficient was 0.92. Item-total correlation ranged between 0.43 and 0.75. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.80. The Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.637 (p-value < .001) for MG-ADL and 0.487 (p-value < .001) for QMG. Mann-Whitney U tests of the mean MG-QOL15R-S scores were significantly different according to the clinical severity (p-value < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the MG-QOL15R is a valid and reliable instrument and potentially useful for measuring health-related quality of life in Spanish-speaking MG patients.

What Is in the Neuromuscular Junction Literature?

ABSTRACT: This update covers recommendations for myasthenia gravis (MG) in patients with coronavirus 2019 disease as well as reports of the clinical features of patients with MG and coronavirus 2019. Updated advisory committee recommendations for the use of thymectomy in generalized MG are also provided. Other MG topics include lipoprotein receptor-4 and agrin antibody associations, factors influencing conversion of ocular to generalized MG, the use of rituximab for more recent onset disease, immunoglobulins for maintenance therapy, and fatigue and depression.

Patient Assisted Intervention for Neuropathy: Comparison of Treatment in Real Life Situations (PAIN-CONTRoLS): Bayesian Adaptive Comparative Effectiveness Randomized Trial.

Importance: Cryptogenic sensory polyneuropathy (CSPN) is a common generalized slowly progressive neuropathy, second in prevalence only to diabetic neuropathy. Most patients with CSPN have significant pain. Many medications have been tried for pain reduction in CSPN, including antiepileptics, antidepressants, and sodium channel blockers. There are no comparative studies that identify the most effective medication for pain reduction in CSPN. Objective: To determine which medication (pregabalin, duloxetine, nortriptyline, or mexiletine) is most effective for reducing neuropathic pain and best tolerated in patients with CSPN. Design, Setting, and Participants: From December 1, 2014, through October 20, 2017, a bayesian adaptive, open-label randomized clinical comparative effectiveness study of pain in 402 participants with CSPN was conducted at 40 neurology care clinics. The trial included response adaptive randomization. Participants were patients with CSPN who were 30 years or older, with a pain score of 4 or greater on a numerical rating scale (range, 0-10, with higher scores indicating a higher level of pain). Participant allocation to 1 of 4 drug groups used the utility function and treatment's sample size for response adaptation randomization. At each interim analysis, a decision was made to continue enrolling (up to 400 participants) or stop the whole trial for success (80% power). Patient engagement was maintained throughout the trial, which helped guide the study and identify ways to communicate and disseminate information. Analysis was performed from December 11, 2015, to January 19, 2018. Interventions: Participants were randomized to receive nortriptyline (n = 134), duloxetine (n = 126), pregabalin (n = 73), or mexiletine (n = 69). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a utility function that was a composite of the efficacy (participant reported pain reduction of ≥50% from baseline to week 12) and quit (participants who discontinued medication) rates. Results: Among the 402 participants (213 men [53.0%]; mean [SD] age, 60.1 [13.4] years; 343 White [85.3%]), the utility function of nortriptyline was 0.81 (95% bayesian credible interval [CrI], 0.69-0.93; 34 of 134 [25.4%] efficacious; and 51 of 134 [38.1%] quit), of duloxetine was 0.80 (95% CrI, 0.68-0.92; 29 of 126 [23.0%] efficacious; and 47 of 126 [37.3%] quit), pregabalin was 0.69 (95% CrI, 0.55-0.84; 11 of 73 [15.1%] efficacious; and 31 of 73 [42.5%] quit), and mexiletine was 0.58 (95% CrI, 0.42-0.75; 14 of 69 [20.3%] efficacious; and 40 of 69 [58.0%] quit). The probability each medication yielded the highest utility was 0.52 for nortriptyline, 0.43 for duloxetine, 0.05 for pregabalin, and 0.00 for mexiletine. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that, although there was no clearly superior medication, nortriptyline and duloxetine outperformed pregabalin and mexiletine when pain reduction and undesirable adverse effects are combined to a single end point. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02260388.

International Consensus Guidance for Management of Myasthenia Gravis: 2020 Update.

OBJECTIVE: To update the 2016 formal consensus-based guidance for the management of myasthenia gravis (MG) based on the latest evidence in the literature. METHODS: In October 2013, the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America appointed a Task Force to develop treatment guidance for MG, and a panel of 15 international experts was convened. The RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used to develop consensus recommendations pertaining to 7 treatment topics. In February 2019, the international panel was reconvened with the addition of one member to represent South America. All previous recommendations were reviewed for currency, and new consensus recommendations were developed on topics that required inclusion or updates based on the recent literature. Up to 3 rounds of anonymous e-mail votes were used to reach consensus, with modifications to recommendations between rounds based on the panel input. A simple majority vote (80% of panel members voting "yes") was used to approve minor changes in grammar and syntax to improve clarity. RESULTS: The previous recommendations for thymectomy were updated. New recommendations were developed for the use of rituximab, eculizumab, and methotrexate as well as for the following topics: early immunosuppression in ocular MG and MG associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. CONCLUSION: This updated formal consensus guidance of international MG experts, based on new evidence, provides recommendations to clinicians caring for patients with MG worldwide.

Ocular myasthenia gravis - How effective is low dose prednisone long term?

INTRODUCTION: Controversy persists on the best treatment to control ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) and reduce conversion to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG). We hypothesized that low dose prednisone could accomplish both in a cohort of OMG patients followed after three years. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 168 patients who presented with OMG. Our study included 103 of the OMG patients who met inclusion criteria, requiring follow up for a minimum of 3 years without disease generalization. Low dose prednisone was defined as ≤7.5 mg per day. The main outcome was having single vision without ptosis blocking vision, measured by binocular single vision (BSV) and upper lid position. We also analyzed late progression to GMG. RESULTS: Of 87 patients treated with prednisone, chronic low dose prednisone alone restored BSV in 47 patients (46% of all patients) without GMG. Pyridostigmine monotherapy restored BSV in 11/14 patients (11% of all patients). Other immunomodulatory therapy (OIT) was needed in 38 patients (37%). Medical therapy maintained BSV at last evaluation (mean follow up 8.2 ± 5.0 years) in 93 patients (90%). GMG developed in 10 patients (10%) during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: In OMG patients who do not generalize before 3 years, chronic long term prednisone at lower doses is moderately effective in maintaining optimum BSV. However, OIT are commonly required in these patients. In these OMG patients receiving prednisone and/or OIT, conversion to GMG after three years of disease is uncommon.

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo.

Epidemiological evidence for a hereditary contribution to myasthenia gravis: a retrospective cohort study of patients from North America.

OBJECTIVES: To approximate the rate of familial myasthenia gravis and the coexistence of other autoimmune disorders in the patients and their families. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Clinics across North America. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 1032 patients diagnosed with acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR)-positive myasthenia gravis. METHODS: Phenotype information of 1032 patients diagnosed with AChR-positive myasthenia gravis was obtained from clinics at 14 centres across North America between January 2010 and January 2011. A critical review of the epidemiological literature on the familial rate of myasthenia gravis was also performed. RESULTS: Among 1032 patients, 58 (5.6%) reported a family history of myasthenia gravis. A history of autoimmune diseases was present in 26.6% of patients and in 28.4% of their family members. DISCUSSION: The familial rate of myasthenia gravis was higher than would be expected for a sporadic disease. Furthermore, a high proportion of patients had a personal or family history of autoimmune disease. Taken together, these findings suggest a genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.

Minimal manifestation status and prednisone withdrawal in the MGTX trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether sustained minimal manifestation status (MMS) with complete withdrawal of prednisone is better achieved in thymectomized patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). METHODS: This study is a post hoc analysis of data from a randomized trial of thymectomy in MG (Thymectomy Trial in Non-Thymomatous Myasthenia Gravis Patients Receiving Prednisone Therapy [MGTX]). MGTX was a multicenter, randomized, rater-blinded 3-year trial that was followed by a voluntary 2-year extension for patients with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive MG without thymoma. Patients were randomized 1:1 to thymectomy plus prednisone vs prednisone alone. Participants were age 18-65 years at enrollment with disease duration less than 5 years. All patients received oral prednisone titrated up to 100 mg on alternate days until they achieved MMS, which prompted a standardized prednisone taper as long as MMS was maintained. The achievement rate of sustained MMS (no symptoms of MG for 6 months) with complete withdrawal of prednisone was compared between the thymectomy plus prednisone and prednisone alone groups. RESULTS: Patients with MG in the thymectomy plus prednisone group achieved sustained MMS with complete withdrawal of prednisone more frequently (64% vs 38%) and quickly compared to the prednisone alone group (median time 30 months vs no median time achieved, p < 0.001) over the 5-year study period. Prednisone-associated adverse symptoms were more frequent in the prednisone alone group and distress level increased with higher doses of prednisone. CONCLUSIONS: Thymectomy benefits patients with MG by increasing the likelihood of achieving sustained MMS with complete withdrawal of prednisone. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00294658. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with generalized MG with AChR antibody, those receiving thymectomy plus prednisone are more likely to attain sustained MMS and complete prednisone withdrawal than those on prednisone alone.

Correlation of Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis and Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living scales in the MGTX study.

INTRODUCTION: Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) and Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scales were compared using the data from the Thymectomy Trial in Non-Thymomatous Myasthenia Gravis Patients Receiving Prednisone Therapy (MGTX) study. METHODS: Correlation between QMG and MG-ADL raw and change-from-baseline scores was calculated every 3 months for 60 months based on treatment groups and minimal manifestation status (MMS). RESULTS: QMG and MG-ADL change-from-baseline scores correlated significantly, with increasing strength of correlation over time, in both treatment groups. QMG and MG-ADL raw scores correlated significantly in both treatment groups, with increasing correlation only in the prednisone-alone group. Correlation between raw scores was weaker in patients who were in MMS, demonstrating a "floor effect" on the MG-ADL scale. Raw QMG scores could be modeled assuming a normal distribution, whereas raw MG-ADL scores could not be modeled this way. DISCUSSION: The floor effect and skewed distribution of the MG-ADL measure should be taken into account in the design of myasthenia gravis clinical trials.

Seven-Year Experience From the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Supported Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials.

Importance: One major advantage of developing large, federally funded networks for clinical research in neurology is the ability to have a trial-ready network that can efficiently conduct scientifically rigorous projects to improve the health of people with neurologic disorders. Observations: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT) was established in 2011 and renewed in 2018 with the goal of being an efficient network to test between 5 and 7 promising new agents in phase II clinical trials. A clinical coordinating center, data coordinating center, and 25 sites were competitively chosen. Common infrastructure was developed to accelerate timelines for clinical trials, including central institutional review board (a first for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke), master clinical trial agreements, the use of common data elements, and experienced research sites and coordination centers. During the first 7 years, the network exceeded the goal of conducting 5 to 7 studies, with 9 funded. High interest was evident by receipt of 148 initial applications for potential studies in various neurologic disorders. Across the first 8 studies (the ninth study was funded at end of initial funding period), the central institutional review board approved the initial protocol in a mean (SD) of 59 (21) days, and additional sites were added a mean (SD) of 22 (18) days after submission. The median time from central institutional review board approval to first site activation was 47.5 days (mean, 102.1; range, 1-282) and from first site activation to first participant consent was 27 days (mean, 37.5; range, 0-96). The median time for database readiness was 3.5 months (mean, 4.0; range, 0-8) from funding receipt. In the 4 completed studies, enrollment met or exceeded expectations with 96% overall data accuracy across all sites. Nine peer-reviewed manuscripts were published, and 22 oral presentations or posters and 9 invited presentations were given at regional, national, and international meetings. Conclusions and Relevance: NeuroNEXT initiated 8 studies, successfully enrolled participants at or ahead of schedule, collected high-quality data, published primary results in high-impact journals, and provided mentorship, expert statistical, and trial management support to several new investigators. Partnerships were successfully created between government, academia, industry, foundations, and patient advocacy groups. Clinical trial consortia can efficiently and successfully address a range of important neurologic research and therapeutic questions.

Clinical Effects of the Self-administered Subcutaneous Complement Inhibitor Zilucoplan in Patients With Moderate to Severe Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Results of a Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Trial.

Importance: Many patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) have substantial clinical disability, persistent disease burden, and adverse effects attributable to chronic immunosuppression. Therefore, there is a significant need for targeted, well-tolerated therapies with the potential to improve disease control and enhance quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of zilucoplan, a subcutaneously (SC) self-administered macrocyclic peptide inhibitor of complement component 5, in a broad population of patients with moderate to severe gMG. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial at 25 study sites across North America recruited participants between December 2017 and August 2018. Fifty-seven patients were screened, of whom 12 did not meet inclusion criteria and 1 was lost to follow-up after randomization but before receiving study drug, resulting in a total of 44 acetylcholine receptor autoantibody (AChR-Ab)-positive patients with gMG with baseline Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) scores of at least 12, regardless of treatment history. Interventions: Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to a daily SC self-injection of placebo, 0.1-mg/kg zilucoplan, or 0.3-mg/kg zilucoplan for 12 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary and key secondary end points were the change from baseline to week 12 in QMG and MG Activities of Daily Living scores, respectively. Significance testing was prespecified at a 1-sided α of .10. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. Results: The study of 44 patients was well balanced across the 3 treatment arms with respect to key demographic and disease-specific variables. The mean age of patients across all 3 treatment groups ranged from 45.5 to 54.6 years and most patients were white (average proportions across 3 treatment groups: 78.6%-86.7%). Clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in primary and key secondary efficacy end points were observed. Zilucoplan at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg SC daily resulted in a mean reduction from baseline of 6.0 points in the QMG score (placebo-corrected change, -2.8; P = .05) and 3.4 points in the MG Activities of Daily Living score (placebo-corrected change, -2.3; P = .04). Clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements were also observed in other secondary end points, the MG Composite and MG Quality-of-Life scores. Outcomes for the 0.1-mg/kg SC daily dose were also statistically significant but slower in onset and less pronounced than with the 0.3-mg/kg dose. Rescue therapy (intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange) was required in 3 of 15, 1 of 15, and 0 of 14 participants in the placebo, 0.1-mg/kg zilucoplan, and 0.3-mg/kg zilucoplan arms, respectively. Zilucoplan was observed to have a favorable safety and tolerability profile. Conclusions and Relevance: Zilucoplan yielded rapid, meaningful, and sustained improvements over 12 weeks in a broad population of patients with moderate to severe AChR-Ab-positive gMG. Near-complete complement inhibition appeared superior to submaximal inhibition. The observed safety and tolerability profile of zilucoplan was favorable. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03315130.

Immunoglobulin administration for the treatment of CIDP: IVIG or SCIG?

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired neurological disorder characterized clinically by weakness and impaired sensory function evolving over 2 months or more, loss or significant decrease in deep tendon reflexes, and by electrophysiological evidence of peripheral nerve demyelination. Expeditious diagnosis and treatment of CIDP early in the disease course is critical such that irreversible disability can be avoided. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is one first-line and maintenance therapy option for CIDP. The US Food & Drug Administration's (FDA's) approval of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) in 2018 provides patients with CIDP more treatment options for maintenance therapy. The different options for administration of IG treatment create the need for information to assist clinicians and patients in choosing the optimal therapeutic approach. Considerations for pharmacokinetics, administration procedures, adverse events, patient variables, and cost will all be discussed in this article.

A Neurologist's Perspective on Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis: Current Perspective and Future Trials.

The first randomized blinded study of thymectomy in nonthymomatous myasthenia gravis was designed to answer 3 questions: does the combination of prednisone and removal of the thymus gland via extended transsternal thymectomy after 3 years compared with an identical dosing protocol of prednisone alone (1) lead to better disease status for generalized MG patients with antiacetylcholine receptor antibodies, (2) reduce their prednisone requirements, and/or (3) reduce the side-effect burden from medications used to treat the disease? The study demonstrated that thymectomy confers these benefits for patients and sets the stage for inquiries into the benefits of less-invasive approaches to thymic resection.