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Tuan Vu,1 Heinz Wiendl,2 Masahisa Katsuno,3 Stephen W Reddel,4 James F Howard Jr5 1Department of Neurology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA; 2Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany; 3Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; 4Department of Neurology, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 5Department of Neurology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USACorrespondence: Tuan Vu, Department of Neurology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 13220 USF Laurel Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA, Tel +1 813 396 2955, Email tvu6@usf.eduAbstract: The terminal complement C5 inhibitor ravulizumab was engineered from the humanized monoclonal antibody eculizumab to have an extended half-life and duration of action. It binds to human terminal complement protein C5, inhibiting its cleavage into C5a and C5b, thus preventing the cascade of events that lead to architectural destruction of the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction membrane by the membrane attack complex, and consequent muscle weakness in patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). The 26-week randomized, placebo-controlled period (RCP) of the phase 3 CHAMPION MG study demonstrated the rapid efficacy of ravulizumab in reducing MG symptoms. Weight-based dosing of ravulizumab every 8 weeks provided sustained efficacy, in terms of patient-reported (Myasthenia Gravis–Activities of Daily Living) and clinician-reported (Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis) endpoints in patients with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses showed therapeutic serum ravulizumab concentrations (> 175 μg/mL) were achieved immediately after the first dose and were maintained throughout 26 weeks, irrespective of patient body weight; inhibition of serum free C5 was immediate, complete (< 0.5 μg/mL), and sustained in all patients. Interim results from the open-label extension (OLE) showed that after 60 weeks, efficacy was maintained in patients continuing on ravulizumab. Rapid and sustained improvements in efficacy, similar to those seen in patients initiating ravulizumab in the RCP, were observed after initiation of ravulizumab treatment in patients who switched from placebo in the RCP to ravulizumab in the OLE. The findings from the RCP and OLE support ravulizumab’s favorable safety profile. In conclusion, ravulizumab has a simple weight-based administration and long dosing interval. Its targeted mechanism of action without generalized immunosuppression is reflected in its rapid onset of symptom improvement, sustained efficacy and good safety profile in the treatment of patients with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG.Plain Language Summary: Ravulizumab in anti-AChR antibody-positive gMGRavulizumab was engineered from eculizumab to have an extended half-life and longer duration of action. It binds to terminal complement protein C5 to inhibit anti-AChR antibody-mediated activation of terminal complement and destruction of the neuromuscular junction.Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses support a simple weight-based administration and long dosing interval and show that therapeutic ravulizumab concentrations and complete inhibition of C5 were achieved immediately after the first dose.The 26-week randomized placebo-controlled period (RCP) of the CHAMPION MG study in patients with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG showed that ravulizumab has rapid and sustained efficacy with good safety and tolerability across a broad range of patients.Ravulizumab’s efficacy, safety, and tolerability were confirmed in interim analyses of the open-label extension study (including data for up to 60 weeks from the RCP baseline): efficacy was maintained in patients remaining on ravulizumab; rapid and sustained efficacy was established in patients switching from placebo to ravulizumab.Keywords: acetylcholine receptor antibody, complement, membrane attack complex, monoclonal antibody, terminal complement complex

Distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most common variety of neuropathy. Since the evaluation of this disorder is not standardized, the available literature was reviewed to provide evidence-based guidelines regarding the role of laboratory and genetic tests for the assessment of DSP. A literature review using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, and Current Contents was performed to identify the best evidence regarding the evaluation of polyneuropathy published between 1980 and March 2007. Articles were classified according to a four-tiered level of evidence scheme and recommendations were based on the level of evidence. (1) Screening laboratory tests may be considered for all patients with polyneuropathy (Level C). Those tests that provide the highest yield of abnormality are blood glucose, serum B(12) with metabolites (methylmalonic acid with or without homocysteine), and serum protein immunofixation electrophoresis (Level C). If there is no definite evidence of diabetes mellitus by routine testing of blood glucose, testing for impaired glucose tolerance may be considered in distal symmetric sensory polyneuropathy (Level C). (2) Genetic testing is established as useful for the accurate diagnosis and classification of hereditary neuropathies (Level A). Genetic testing may be considered in patients with cryptogenic polyneuropathy who exhibit a hereditary neuropathy phenotype (Level C). Initial genetic testing should be guided by the clinical phenotype, inheritance pattern, and electrodiagnostic (EDX) features and should focus on the most common abnormalities, which are CMT1A duplication/HNPP deletion, Cx32 (GJB1), and MFN2 mutation screening. There is insufficient evidence to determine the usefulness of routine genetic testing in patients with cryptogenic polyneuropathy who do not exhibit a hereditary neuropathy phenotype (Level U). Muscle Nerve 39: 116-125, 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most common variety of neuropathy. Since the evaluation of this disorder is not standardized, the available literature was reviewed to provide evidence-based guidelines regarding the role of autonomic testing, nerve biopsy, and skin biopsy for the assessment of polyneuropathy. A literature review using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, and Current Contents was performed to identify the best evidence regarding the evaluation of polyneuropathy published between 1980 and March 2007. Articles were classified according to a four-tiered level of evidence scheme and recommendations were based on the level of evidence. (1) Autonomic testing may be considered in the evaluation of patients with polyneuropathy to document autonomic nervous system dysfunction (Level B). Such testing should be considered especially for the evaluation of suspected autonomic neuropathy (Level B) and distal small fiber sensory polyneuropathy (SFSN) (Level C). A battery of validated tests is recommended to achieve the highest diagnostic accuracy (Level B). (2) Nerve biopsy is generally accepted as useful in the evaluation of certain neuropathies as in patients with suspected amyloid neuropathy, mononeuropathy multiplex due to vasculitis, or with atypical forms of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). However, the literature is insufficient to provide a recommendation regarding when a nerve biopsy may be useful in the evaluation of DSP (Level U). (3) Skin biopsy is a validated technique for determining intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density and may be considered for the diagnosis of DSP, particularly SFSN (Level C). There is a need for additional prospective studies to define more exact guidelines for the evaluation of polyneuropathy. Muscle Nerve 39: 106-115, 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The terminal complement inhibitor eculizumab is approved in the USA for the treatment of patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). The ELEVATE study aimed to examine clinical-practice outcome data on eculizumab effectiveness in US adults with MG (generalized or ocular). This paper reports the findings on MG exacerbations and crises and associated healthcare resource utilization, and the use of rescue therapy., Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of US adults with MG who initiated eculizumab. Outcomes assessed for up to 2 years before and after eculizumab initiation included percentages and rates per patient per year (PPPY) of exacerbations and crises (the latter defined as intubation/impending intubation), healthcare resource utilization, and rescue therapy administration., Results: A total of 119 patients diagnosed with MG were enrolled in the study; 92 patients had ≥ 3 months of data both before and during eculizumab therapy and were included in the analyses. The mean rate of MG exacerbations decreased from 0.385 PPPY before eculizumab initiation to 0.152 PPPY during eculizumab treatment (p = 0.0034); the mean rate of MG crises decreased from 0.411 to 0.056 PPPY (p = 0.0018). Rates of healthcare resource utilization and rescue therapy use also decreased significantly during eculizumab treatment., Conclusions: This retrospective chart review analysis provides evidence for a beneficial impact of eculizumab treatment on the incidence of MG exacerbations and crises and associated healthcare resource utilization in clinical practice, and on rescue therapy use. These data further support the therapeutic benefits of eculizumab in patients with MG., Competing Interests: Declarations. Funding: Research funding for this study and funding for medical writing assistance and open-access fees were provided by Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. Conflict of interest: Richard J. Nowak has received research support from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Genentech, Grifols, Immunovant, Inc., Momenta Pharmaceuticals, the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), Ra Pharmaceuticals (now UCB), and Viela Bio Inc. (now Horizon Therapeutics); and consultancy fees from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Cour Pharmaceuticals, Grifols, Immunovant, Inc., Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Ra Pharmaceuticals (now UCB), Roivant Sciences, and Viela Bio (now Horizon Therapeutics). Ali A. Habib has served as a medical advisor and speaker on behalf of Alexion and AstraZeneca Rare Disease; he has received research support from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, and Cabaletta Bio; and has received research support and honoraria from argenx, UCB, Pfizer, Genentech, Viela Bio, and Regeneron. Andrew J. Klink is a salaried employee of and owns stock in Cardinal Health, which received funding from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease for work performed on this study. Srikanth Muppidi has served on advisory board meetings for Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Horizon Therapeutics, and Ra Pharmaceuticals (now UCB). Anju Parthan was an employee of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, and owned stock in AstraZeneca at the time the study was conducted and analyzed. S. Chloe Sader is an employee of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease and owns stock in AstraZeneca. Alexandrina Balanean is a salaried employee of Cardinal Health, which received funding from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease for work performed on this study. Ajeet Gajra was a salaried employee of and owned stock in Cardinal Health, which received funding from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease for work performed on this study, at the time the study was conducted. James F. Howard Jr has received research support (paid to institution) from Ad Scientiam, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Cartesian Therapeutics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA, USA), the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the National Institutes of Health (including the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases), PCORI, and UCB Pharma; honoraria from Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Amgen, argenx, Biohaven Ltd, Biologix Pharma, CheckRare CME, F. Hoffman-LaRoche, Medscape CME, Merck EMD Serono, NMD Pharma, Novartis Pharma, PeerView CME, Physicians’ Education Resource CME, PlatformQ CME, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi US, UCB Pharma, and Zai Lab; and non-financial support from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Biohaven Ltd, Toleranzia AB, UCB Pharma, and Zai Lab. Ethics approval: The study was reviewed by the Western Institutional Review Board and determined exempt from requiring ethical approval on the basis that the study collected only secondary data, which were limited and comprised only necessary protected health information (e.g., treatment dates, date of death), and that all data were de-identified and aggregated. Consent to participate: As this study involves anonymized structured data, which according to applicable legal requirements do not contain data subject to privacy laws, obtaining informed consent from patients was not required. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Availability of data and material: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease will consider requests for disclosure of clinical study participant-level data provided that participant privacy is assured through methods such as data de-identification, pseudonymization, or anonymization (as required by applicable law), and if such disclosure was included in the relevant study an informed consent form or similar documentation. Qualified academic investigators may request participant-level clinical data and supporting documents (statistical analysis plan and protocol) pertaining to Alexion-sponsored studies. Further details regarding data availability and instructions for requesting information are available in the Alexion Clinical Trials Disclosure and Transparency Policy at https://www.alexionclinicaltrialtransparency.com/data-requests/ . Code availability: Not applicable. Author contributions: Study concept: RJN, AJK, SM, AP, SCS, AG. Study design: RJN, AJK, SM, AP, SCS, AB, AG, JFH Jr. Data acquisition: AAH, JFH Jr. Data analysis: RJN, AJK, AP, SCS, AB, AG. Data interpretation: all authors. Drafting/revision of the article for content: all authors. All authors read and approved the final version., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background and Purpose: The efficacy and safety of ravulizumab, a terminal complement C5 inhibitor, in adults with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR Ab+) generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) were demonstrated in the CHAMPION MG study (NCT03920293). This analysis aimed to characterize the latency to onset of a clinically meaningful therapeutic effect for ravulizumab., Methods: Post hoc analysis of data collected for up to 60 weeks from CHAMPION MG was performed to assess the timing of response to ravulizumab. Response was analyzed based on reductions of ≥2 and ≥3 points (minimal clinically important differences [MCIDs]) in Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) total scores, respectively, and on more rigorous reductions of ≥3 and ≥5 points, respectively. Time to first response was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method., Results: The median (95% confidence interval) time to first response was 2.1 (2.1-2.6) and 4.1 (2.3-10.0) weeks for reductions of ≥2 and ≥3 points in MG-ADL total score, respectively (n = 139), and 4.1 (2.1-10.0) and 18.3 (11.0-33.4) weeks for reductions of ≥3 and ≥5 points in QMG total score, respectively (n = 134). Cumulative response rates at Week 60 (data cut-off) were 88% and 82% for ≥2- and ≥3-point MG-ADL score reductions, respectively, and 86% and 59% for ≥3- and ≥5-point QMG score reductions, respectively., Conclusions: The median times to MCID with ravulizumab treatment in patients with AChR Ab+ gMG were ~2 weeks and ~4 weeks based on MCID MG-ADL and QMG total score reductions, respectively., (© 2024 The Author(s). European Journal of Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Neurology.)

Competing Interests: James F Howard Jr: Research funding (paid to his institution) from Ad Scientiam, Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Cartesian Therapeutics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MGFA, Muscular Dystrophy Association, NIH, PCORI, and UCB Pharma; Consulting fees from Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Biohaven Ltd, Biologix Pharma, F. Hoffmann-LaRoche Ltd, Horizon Therapeutics plc (now Amgen), Merck EMB Serono, NMD Pharma, Novartis Pharma, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi US, UCB Pharma, and Zai Labs; Speaker fees from AcademicCME, argenx, CheckRare CME, Medscape CME, PeerView CME, Physicians' Education Resource (PER) CME, PlatformQ CME, UCB Pharma; He served on advisory boards for Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Amgen, F. Hoffmann-LaRoche Ltd, Merck EMB Serono, Novartis Pharma, UCB Pharma and has received travel support from Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, UCB Pharma and Zai Labs. Suzan M Manzi: Research funding: HGS/GSK, AstraZeneca, AbbVie, Amgen, Cartesian Therapeutics, BMS; Consulting: AstraZeneca, Cartesian, Exagen, GSK, Lily, UCB; Participation in DSMB: NIAID, NIH, Miltenyi; Board Member, Medical Director: Lupus Foundation of America. Milos D Miljkovic: Employee and equity ownership: Cartesian Therapeutics. Tuan Vu: USF Site Principal Investigator for MG clinical trials sponsored by Alexion/AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Amgen, argenx, Cartesian Therapeutics, Dianthus Therapeutics, Immunovant, Johnson & Johnson, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and UCB Pharma, and has served as a speaker for Alexion/AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, and CSL Behring. He served on advisory boards and/or performed consulting work for Alexion/AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Amgen, Dianthus Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, ImmunAbs, and UCB Pharma. Tahseen Mozaffar: Grants or contracts: the Myositis Association, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the National Institutes for Health and from the following sponsors: Alexion, Amicus, AnnJi, Argenx, Audentes (now Astellas Gene Therapy), Cabaletta, Cartesian Therapeutics, Grifols, ML-Bio, Momenta, Ra Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Spark Therapeutics, and Valerion; Consulting fees: Alexion, Amicus, AnnJi, Argenx, Arvinas, Ask Bio, Audentes, AvroBio, Horizon Therapeutics, Immunovant, Maze Therapeutics, Shionogi, Momenta (now Janssen), Sanofi-Genzyme, Spark Therapeutics, UCB, and Zogenix; Payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events: Sanofi, Alexion; Support for attending meetings and/or travel: Amicus, Audentes, Sanofi; Participation on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board: Acceleron, Applied Therapeutics (Chair), Sarepta, Sirolimus in IBM trial (Chair), and the NIH. Leadership or Fiduciary role: the Myositis Association and the Neuromuscular Disease Foundation.

Objectives: This post-hoc analysis evaluates the long-term efficacy of efgartigimod versus placebo in adult patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) with acetylcholine-receptor autoantibodies (AChR-Ab+), based on data from the ADAPT RCT and its open-label extension ADAPT+., Methods: Changes from baseline in Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) and Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores were assessed by treatment group over the ADAPT (up to 20 weeks) and ADAPT+ time horizon (extended to 64 weeks for efgartigimod group patients). Response to treatment was defined as 5-point reduction in QMG or 3-point reduction in MG-ADL vs. baseline values., Results: AChR-Ab+ patients treated with efgartigimod spent a substantially greater percentage of time in response in ADAPT based on at least a 5-point change in QMG compared to the placebo group (44 % versus 13 % respectively, p = 0.0034). Analyses based on a 3-point change in MG-ADL in ADAPT showed the percentage of time in response was nearly double for efgartigimod versus placebo (59 % versus 30 % respectively, p = 0.010). These trends were also maintained using different response definitions, as well as in patients with and without prior immune therapy exposure and by time from diagnosis (<7 years versus ≥7 years)., Conclusions: The clinical benefit of efgartigimod was sustained over repeat treatment cycles and maintained over the long term. Response to treatment was consistent regardless of response definition and was repeated in different patient subgroups. Overall, the results of this analysis indicate that efgartigimod is an effective therapeutic option, demonstrating a robust benefit among AChR-Ab+ patients with gMG., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest CQ, GP, EB and DG are employees of argenx. SD and AG are employed by Services in Health Economics (SHE). SHE received fees from argenx in relation to this study. James F Howard Jr.: Research funding (paid to his institution) from Ad Scientiam, Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Cartesian Therapeutics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MGFA, Muscular Dystrophy Association, NIH, PCORI, and UCB Pharma; honoraria/consulting fees from AcademicCME, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Biologix Pharma, CheckRare CME, F. Hoffmann-LaRoche Ltd., Horizon Therapeutics plc (now Amgen), Medscape CME, Merck EMB Serono, NMD Pharma, Novartis Pharma, PeerView CME, Physicians' Education Resource (PER) CME, PlatformQ CME, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi US, UCB Pharma, and Zai Labs; non-financial support from Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, argenx, Cartesian Therapeutics, Toleranzia AB, UCB Pharma and Zai Labs.RM received funding for Travel, Meeting attendance or Advisory Board participation from Alexion, argenx, Biomarin, Catalyst, SANOFI, Regeneron and UCB., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Chimeric antigen receptor-T cell (CAR-T) therapy has transformed the management of refractory hematological malignancies. Now that targeting pathogenic cells of interest with antigen-directed cytotoxic T lymphocytes is possible, the field is expanding the reach of CAR-T therapy beyond oncology. Recently, breakthrough progress has been made in the application of CAR-T technology to autoimmune diseases, exploiting the same validated targets that were used by pioneering CAR-T therapies in hematology. Here, we discuss recent advances and outcomes that are paving the way for extension to new therapeutic areas, including autoimmunity.

Background: Clinical efficacy of zilucoplan has been demonstrated in a 12-week, placebo-controlled, phase III study in patients with acetylcholine receptor autoantibody-positive generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG). However, placebo-controlled zilucoplan data past 12 weeks are not available., Objectives: Predict the treatment effect of zilucoplan versus control (placebo or standard of care) in patients with gMG up to 24 weeks., Design: A model-informed analysis (MIA) within a Bayesian framework., Methods: Part 1 of the MIA comprised a control meta-regression using aggregate data on control response over time from randomised studies and a national myasthenia gravis (MG) registry. In Part 2, a combined Bayesian analysis of individual patient-level data from the phase II (NCT03315130), RAISE (NCT04115293) and RAISE-XT (NCT04225871) studies of zilucoplan was conducted using posterior distributions from Part 1 as informative priors. Population mean treatment effect in the change from baseline (CFB) at week 24 in MG-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) and quantitative MG (QMG) scores for zilucoplan versus control were assessed., Results: At week 24, the predicted mean CFB in MG-ADL score was -4.55 (95% credible interval: -6.04, -3.13) with zilucoplan versus -2.00 (-3.35, -0.64) with control (difference: -2.55 [-3.76, -1.40]). The probability of a favourable treatment effect as measured by MG-ADL score at week 24 with zilucoplan versus control was >99.9%. There was an 82.8% probability that the difference in the predicted mean CFB in MG-ADL score at week 24 was greater than the clinically meaningful threshold (⩾2.0-point improvement). Comparable results were observed with QMG., Conclusion: This MIA demonstrates the maintenance of efficacy with zilucoplan versus control up to 24 weeks. Through combining real-world evidence with data from randomised studies, this novel method to estimate long-term treatment efficacy facilitated reduced exposure to placebo in the phase III RAISE study. This methodology could be used to reduce the length of future placebo-controlled studies., (© The Author(s), 2024.)

Introduction: The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan aims for 10,000 physician associates (PAs, formerly physician assistants) by 2036/7. This article uses three modelling approaches to project the UK PA supply from a baseline of 2014-2021 through to 2038 to forecast the profession's growth., Methods: The number of cClinically available PAs' (cPAs; qualified PAs either working clinically or seeking clinical employment) was estimated using raw data from the 2014-2021 Faculty of Physician Associates censuses. This provided baseline data for all models (linear regression (LRM), exponential regression (ERM) and time-series forecast (TSFM)). Attrition, using data from other healthcare professions, was also modelled., Results: R 2 values together with authors' judgement ruled the LRM more realistic than the ERM. The LRM projected up to 8,232 cPAs by 2038, although attrition reduced this significantly. The TSFM optimistically projected an upper limit (95% confidence interval) of 13,922 cPAs by 2038., Discussion: This article permits a wider view of potential PA numbers, with broad agreement between the LRM and the TSFM. It appears that future PA demand will be met, but factors such as attrition could impede this. Attrition itself may be mitigated through adequate resourcing, appropriate support mechanisms, and the development of a career structure. Professional regulation and legislation will further support PAs to work to their potential, subject to appropriate patient safety measures., Competing Interests: Emyr Yosef Bakker reports a relationship with University of Central Lancashire that includes: employment. Peter Anthony Dixon reports a relationship with University of Central Lancashire that includes: employment. Tim Smith reports a relationship with University of Central Lancashire that includes: employment. Jane Frances Rutt-Howard reports a relationship with University of Central Lancashire that includes: employment. All authors on this article are involved in physician associate education and assessment at the Module Tutor, Module Leader, and/or Course Leader level at their affiliated institution, as well as involvement nationally through external roles at other HEIs, membership of multi-institution organisations or involvement in the Physician Associate National Exam (PANE)., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

ADAPT-SC (NCT04735432) was designed to evaluate noninferiority of subcutaneous (SC) efgartigimod PH20 to intravenous (IV) efgartigimod in participants with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). ADAPT-SC+ (NCT04818671) is an open-label extension study designed to assess long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of efgartigimod PH20 SC. Adult participants in ADAPT-SC were randomly assigned to receive a treatment cycle of 4 once-weekly administrations of efgartigimod PH20 SC 1000 ​mg or efgartigimod IV 10 ​mg/kg, followed by 7 weeks of follow-up. Primary endpoint was percentage change from baseline in total immunoglobulin G (IgG) level at week 4 (1 week after the fourth administration). Secondary efficacy endpoints assessed number and percentage of Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) responders and mean change from baseline in total score for each measure. The primary endpoint was met, demonstrating noninferiority in total IgG reduction between efgartigimod PH20 SC 1000 ​mg and efgartigimod IV 10 ​mg/kg. Clinically meaningful improvements were seen as early as 1 week following the first administration in both treatment arms, with maximal improvements at week 4. Continued treatment cycles of efgartigimod PH20 SC in ADAPT-SC+ have demonstrated long-term safety and consistent improvements in MG-ADL total score. Findings from ADAPT-SC and ADAPT-SC+ demonstrate similar safety and efficacy as observed in the placebo-controlled ADAPT study. Collectively, these findings support noninferiority between efgartigimod PH20 SC 1000 ​mg and efgartigimod IV 10 ​mg/kg, as well as long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of efgartigimod PH20 SC for treatment of a broad population of patients with gMG., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest This study was sponsored by argenx (Ghent, Belgium), the manufacturer of efgartigimod IV and efgartigimod PH20 SC. Efgartigimod IV has received regulatory approval for the treatment of gMG in multiple countries. Efgartigimod PH20 SC was approved for use in gMG by the US Food and Drug Administration. Medical writing and editorial support were funded by argenx. Li Liu, Fien Gistelinck, Sophie Steeland, Benjamin Van Hoorick, Jana Podhorna, and Filip Borgions are employees of argenx. Jan Noukens is partner at Curare Consulting and is a paid consultant for argenx. James F. Howard, Jr has received research support (paid to his institution) from Alexion Pharmaceuticals, argenx, Cartesian Therapeutics, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the US National Institutes of Health (including the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Ra Pharmaceuticals (now UCB Biosciences), and Millennium Pharmaceuticals/Takeda Pharmaceuticals; honoraria from AcademicCME, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, argenx BV, Biologix Pharma, F. Hoffman-LaRoche Ltd, Horizon Therapeutics plc, Merck EMD Serono, NMD Pharma, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, PeerView CME, Ra Pharmaceuticals (now UCB Biosciences), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and Sanofi US; and non-financial support from Alexion Pharmaceuticals, argenx BV, Ra Pharmaceuticals (now UCB Biosciences), Toleranzia AB, and ZaiLab. Tuan Vu serves as site principal investigator for MG clinical trials sponsored by argenx, Alexion, UCB/Ra, Cartesian, Horizon/Viela Bio, Janssen/Momenta, Regeneron, Immunovant, and Sanofi and has served as consultant and/or speaker for argenx, Alexion, and UCB/Ra. George Li has nothing to disclose. Denis Korobko has received speaker honoraria from Roche-Moscow, Novartis Russia, Sanofi, Merck, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson company), BIOCAD; research grants from Novartis Russia, UCB, argenx, Viela Bio Inc. (now Horizon Therapeutics), Sanofi, Bristol Myers Squibb, Hoffman-LaRoche Ltd.; and has served on scientific advisory boards for Novartis Russia, Merck, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson company), and BIOCAD. Marek Smilowski has nothing to report. Yuebing Li has served on advisory boards for argenx, Catalyst, Immunovant, and UCB Pharma and has received grant support from argenx. Kimiaki Utsugisawa has served as a paid consultant for argenx, UCB Pharma, Janssen Pharma, Viela Bio, Chugai Pharma, Merck, and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma and has received speaker honoraria from argenx, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, UCB Pharma, and the Japan Blood Products Organization. Heinz Wiendl receives honoraria for acting as a member of scientific advisory boards for AbbVie, Alexion, argenx, Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, and Sandoz; has received speaker honoraria and travel support from Alexion, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genzyme, Merck, Neurodiem, Novartis, Ology, Roche, Teva, and WebMD Global; has received research funding from Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft (DFG), Deutsche Myasthenie Gesellschaft e.V., European Union, Alexion, Amicus Therapeutics, argenx, Biogen, CSL Behring, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Genzyme, Merck KgaA, Novartis, Roche Pharma, and UCB Biopharma; and is a paid consultant for AbbVie, Actelion, argenx, BD, Bristol Myers Squibb, EMD Serono, Fondazione Cariplo, Gossamer Bio, Idorsia, Immunic, Immunovant, INmune Bio, Syneos Health, Janssen, Merck, NexGen, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society, UCB, and Worldwide Clinical Trials. Jan L. De Bleecker has served as a paid consultant for or received speaker honoraria from argenx, UCB Pharma, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, CSL Behring, and Roche. Renato Mantegazza has received funding for travel, meeting attendance, or advisory board participation from Alexion, argenx, Biomarin, Catalyst, Sanofi, Regeneron, and UCB., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background/objectives: The phase 3 REGAIN study and its open-label extension demonstrated the efficacy of the complement C5 inhibitor eculizumab in patients with treatment-refractory, acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). The aim of the ELEVATE study was to assess the effectiveness of eculizumab in clinical practice in adults with MG in the United States., Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in adults with MG who initiated eculizumab treatment between October 23, 2017 and December 31, 2019. Outcomes assessed before and during eculizumab treatment using a pre- versus post-treatment study design included Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) total scores; minimal symptom expression (MSE); physician impression of clinical change; minimal manifestation status (MMS); and concomitant medication use., Results: In total, 119 patients were included in the study. A significant reduction was observed in mean MG-ADL total score, from 8.0 before eculizumab initiation to 5.4 at 3 months and to 4.7 at 24 months after eculizumab initiation (both p < 0.001). At 24 months after eculizumab initiation, MSE was achieved by 19% of patients. MMS or better was achieved by 30% of patients at 24 months. Additionally, 64% of patients receiving prednisone at eculizumab initiation had their prednisone dosage reduced during eculizumab treatment and 13% discontinued prednisone; 32% were able to discontinue nonsteroidal immunosuppressant therapy., Discussion: Eculizumab treatment was associated with sustained improvements in MG-ADL total scores through 24 months in adults with MG. Prednisone dosage was reduced in approximately two-thirds of patients, suggesting a steroid-sparing effect for eculizumab., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: To investigate the association between periodontitis and cardiometabolic and haemostatic parameters., Materials and Methods: Between 2014 and 2019, 54 individuals needing full mouth extraction, and 50 control individuals, were recruited for a combined cross-sectional (individuals versus controls) and longitudinal (individuals before and after extraction) study. Periodontitis severity was measured using the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA). Blood was drawn to measure the haemostatic (Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor [VWF], endogenous thrombin potential, d-dimer, clot lysis time) and cardiovascular risk (C-reactive protein [CRP], lipid profile) parameters, prior to and 12 weeks post-extraction. The results were analysed group-wise., Results: The mean VWF and CRP levels were higher and the high-density lipoprotein levels were lower in the individuals prior to extraction compared to the controls. The VWF was significantly correlated with the PISA (a 21% unit increase in VWF per 1000 mm 2 increase in PISA, 95%CI: 6-36%, p = 0.01). The other analyses were comparable between the individuals and controls, and did not change in the individuals after the extraction., Conclusion: VWF levels are associated with periodontitis severity; they do not improve after full-mouth extraction. Severe periodontitis in control individuals does not induce substantial changes in their haemostatic or inflammatory systems., Clinical Relevance: Treatment of periodontitis has been shown to improve the cardiometabolic blood profile of patients with established cardiometabolic disease. However, whether periodontitis treatment improves cardiometabolic and haemostatic profiles in people without cardiometabolic disease is uncertain., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of eculizumab, a terminal complement C5 inhibitor, in juvenile generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG)., Methods: Adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with refractory anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive gMG received eculizumab (weekly induction [one to two doses of 600 mg or four doses of 900 mg] followed by maintenance doses [300 to 1200 mg] every two weeks for up to 26 weeks) in a phase 3, open-label multicenter study (NCT03759366). Change from baseline to week 26 in Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) total score (primary end point) and secondary end points including Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) total score, Myasthenia Gravis Composite score, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America postintervention status, EuroQol 5-Dimensions (Youth) and Neurological Quality-of-Life Pediatric Fatigue questionnaire scores, as well as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety, were recorded., Results: Eleven adolescents (mean ± S.D. age 14.8 ± 1.8 years) were enrolled; 10 completed the primary evaluation period. Least-squares mean changes from baseline at week 26 were -5.8 (standard error [SE] 1.2; P = 0.0004) for QMG total score and -2.3 (SE 0.6; P = 0.0017) for MG-ADL total score. Overall, the primary and all secondary efficacy end point analyses met statistical significance from the first assessment and were sustained throughout. Complete terminal complement inhibition was sustained through 26 weeks in all patients. Treatment-emergent adverse events were all mild/moderate and predominantly unrelated to eculizumab., Conclusions: Eculizumab was effective in reducing disease burden and was well tolerated in adolescents with refractory AChR antibody-positive gMG., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Dr. Brandsema has received research funding from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Momenta/Janssen, and Argenx; individual consulting fees from Momenta/Janssen and Argenx; and support in attending meetings from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. Dr. Ginsberg reports that Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, sponsored the current research and associated costs including the provision of equipment needed for the conduct of the study. Dr. Rao has received research funding from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, and NS Pharma; individual consulting fees from Biogen, AveXis/Novartis, Genentech/Roche, Sarepta Therapeutics, NS Pharma, Scholar Rock, PTC Therapeutics, and Regenxbio; honoraria from Biogen, AveXis/Novartis, Genentech/Roche, PTC therapeutics, France Foundation, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association; travel assistance from Cure SMA, NS Pharma, Biogen, AveXis/Novartis, and France Foundation, Neuropedicon; honoraria for attending advisory boards or data safety meetings from Capricor and Watermark, and expert testimony fees. Dr. Ruzhansky has received research funding from Argenx, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Alnylam, Corbus, UCB/Ra, Momenta Janssen, MGNet, and the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America; individual consulting fees from Guidepoint and GLG; honoraria from WebMD; support in attending meetings from MUSC and MGNet; and honoraria for attending advisory boards or data safety meetings from Argenx, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Amylyx, Immunovant, UCB/Ra, and Guidepoint. Dr. Suresh has received payment for speaking from Takeda Pharmaceuticals and for participating in advisory boards or data safety meetings from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, and Argenx. Dr. Howard has received research support (paid to his institution) from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Argenx, BVBA, Cartesian Therapeutics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA, USA), the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the National Institutes of Health (including the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases), PCORI, Ra Pharmaceuticals (now UCB Pharma), and Takeda Pharmaceuticals; honoraria from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Argenx, BVBA, Immunovant Inc, Ra Pharmaceuticals (now UCB Pharma), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi US, and Viela Bio Inc (now Horizon Therapeutics); and nonfinancial support from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Argenx, BVBA, Ra Pharmaceuticals (now UCB Pharma), and Toleranzia AB. Drs. Frick, Hicks, and Liao are employees of and own stock in Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. No other disclosures were reported., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Claims data can be leveraged to study rare diseases such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a neurological autoimmune condition. It is difficult to accurately measure and distinguish true cases of disease with claims without a validated algorithm. Our objective was to identify the best-performing algorithm for identifying incident GBS cases in Medicare fee-for-service claims data using chart reviews as the gold standard., Study Design and Setting: This was a multi-center, single institution cohort study from 2015 to 2019 that used Medicare-linked electronic health record (EHR) data. We identified 211 patients with a GBS diagnosis code in any position of an inpatient or outpatient claim in Medicare that also had a record of GBS in their electronic medical record. We reported the positive predictive value (PPV = number of true GBS cases/total number of GBS cases identified by the algorithm) for each algorithm tested. We also tested algorithms using several prevalence assumptions for false negative GBS cases and calculated a ranked sum for each algorithm's performance., Results: We found that 40 patients out of 211 had a true case of GBS. Algorithm 17, a GBS diagnosis in the primary position of an inpatient claim and a diagnostic procedure within 45 days of the inpatient admission date, had the highest PPV (PPV = 81.6%, 95% CI (69.3, 93.9). Across three prevalence assumptions, Algorithm 15, a GBS diagnosis in the primary position of an inpatient claim, was favored (PPV = 79.5%, 95% CI (67.6, 91.5)., Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that patients with incident GBS can be accurately identified in Medicare claims with a chart-validated algorithm. Using large-scale administrative data to study GBS offers significant advantages over case reports and patient repositories with self-reported data, and may be a potential strategy for the study of other rare diseases., Competing Interests: None., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Introduction/aims: The CHAMPION MG study demonstrated that ravulizumab significantly improved Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) total scores versus placebo in adults with acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (AChR+ gMG). This post hoc analysis aimed to assess these outcomes by time from MG diagnosis., Methods: Changes from baseline to week 26 in MG-ADL and QMG total scores were analyzed by time from MG diagnosis to study entry (≤2 vs. >2 years). Within each subgroup, least-squares (LS) mean changes for ravulizumab and placebo were compared using mixed models for repeated measures., Results: In ravulizumab-treated patients, differences in LS mean (standard error of the mean) changes from baseline to week 26 were not statistically significant in the ≤2-years subgroup versus the >2-years subgroup for MG-ADL (-4.3 [0.70] vs. -2.9 [0.37]; p = .0511) or QMG (-4.3 [0.94] vs. -2.5 [0.50]; p = .0822) scores. No clear trends were observed in the placebo group. LS mean changes from baseline were significantly greater for ravulizumab versus placebo in both the ≤2 and >2 years from diagnosis subgroups for MG-ADL and QMG scores (all p < .05). The difference in treatment effect between the ≤2-years and >2-years subgroups was not statistically significant. No clinically meaningful between-subgroup differences in treatment-emergent adverse events were observed in ravulizumab-treated patients., Discussion: Ravulizumab treatment improved clinical outcomes for patients with AChR+ gMG regardless of time from diagnosis. A numerical trend was observed favoring greater treatment effect with earlier versus later treatment after diagnosis. Further studies are required for confirmation., (© 2024 The Authors. Muscle & Nerve published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)