Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the connections between nerves and muscles, causing weakness that worsens with activity. It affects roughly 20 in 100,000 people. Current treatment includes drugs that boost nerve signals, immune suppressants like prednisone and azathioprine, and removal of the thymus gland in some cases.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing drugs that block specific immune proteins — complement inhibitors like ravulizumab and FcRn blockers like efgartigimod — which target antibodies more precisely than older immunosuppressants. Researchers are also studying CAR T-cell therapy adapted from cancer treatment, new ways to reset the immune system, and drugs for the 10-15% of people whose myasthenia doesn't respond to standard treatment.
FcRn blockers
These drugs lower disease-causing antibodies by blocking a recycling mechanism that keeps antibodies in circulation. Efgartigimod was FDA-approved in 2021, and several similar drugs are in late-stage trials.
Complement inhibitors
These drugs block part of the immune attack at the nerve-muscle junction. Ravulizumab and eculizumab are approved for generalized myasthenia gravis, and trials are testing whether other complement blockers work as well with less frequent dosing.
CAR T-cell therapy
Researchers are adapting this cancer treatment to target the specific B cells that make myasthenia antibodies. Early results show some people have gone into remission after a single infusion.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on disease severity, antibody type, how well current treatment is working, and whether the thymus gland has been removed.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new immune-modulating drugs, often comparing them to placebo or standard immunosuppressants to see if they reduce muscle weakness and improve daily function.
- Refractory myasthenia trials — Studies for people whose disease hasn't responded to multiple standard treatments, testing more aggressive immune therapies.
- Maintenance therapy trials — Testing whether newer drugs can control myasthenia with fewer side effects than long-term steroids or other immunosuppressants.
- Thymectomy studies — Research on thymus gland removal, examining who benefits most and comparing surgical approaches.
- Registry studies — Long-term tracking of people with myasthenia gravis to understand disease patterns, treatment responses, and quality of life over time.
Recently added Myasthenia Gravis trials
Feasibility of Remote Monitoring of Patients With Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by fluctuating weakness, which can worsen suddenly without a clear predictor. The hypothesis is that continuous monitoring of key aspects of patient physiology and activity coupled to rigorous telemedicine-performed examination has the potential to detect MG worsening which requires change in treatment with the benefit of avoiding need for hospitalization or emergent therapy. This study is to evaluate the reliability of the technology and patient compliance to the monitoring program
Track your myasthenia gravis symptoms and treatment over time
The goal of the AXIS Autoimmune Neurology Registry is to learn about the experiences of adults living with autoimmune neurological disorders, starting with myasthenia gravis (MG), over time. The main questions the registry aims to answer are: * How do symptoms, daily functioning, and quality of life change over time? * What treatments do participants use, and how are these treatments related to their symptoms and health? * What challenges do participants experience with treatment, including side effects, treatment burden, missed doses, and access to care? Participants will: * Join the registry and complete an enrollment survey (online or through a mobile app) * Complete a brief online survey about their MG approximately once a month * Provide information that can help confirm their MG diagnosis * Optionally, share their medical records with the research team This is an observational study. The registry will not assign treatments or ask participants to change their medical care. Information collected through the registry may help researchers better understand MG and improve future research and care.
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