What the trial was testing
The RINOMAX enrolled 47 patients with myasthenia gravis. The study was sponsored by Fredrik Piehl and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
71% of patients on rituximab reached minimal symptoms versus 29% on placebo.
JAMA neurology · 2022 · NCT02950155
These findings — that reached minimal symptoms on low steroid dose — were published in the JAMA neurology and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 47 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with myasthenia gravis, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This was a large-scale study showing rituximab helped new myasthenia gravis patients reach low symptom levels faster. Rituximab is already FDA-approved for other conditions and sometimes used for hard-to-treat myasthenia gravis, but this specific use in new patients is still being studied. Talk to your neurologist about whether this approach is right for you.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open myasthenia gravis trials
Validation and Scaling of Screening Program for Undiagnosed Myasthenia Gravis-Social Media Campaign Paired With a Self-moderated Assessment
This study expands and validates the pilot study NCT06381284. It is a fully remote, site-less, prospective, observational study enrolling adults in the United States (excluding U.S. territories) with undiagnosed neuromuscular symptoms. The primary objective is to determine the validity of a self-assessment tool in encouraging undiagnosed participants, recruited through a social media campaign, to seek medical evaluation for suspected myasthenia gravis (MG).
Zilucoplan for Severe gMG Exacerbations
This is an open-label, multicenter, interventional phase 3b study in participants with AChR+ gMG and severe exacerbation that require hospitalization. Patients will receive subcutaneous zilucoplan injections daily for 12 weeks. Participation in the study will last for approximately 18 weeks.