Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment01:20

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

967
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
967
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests01:15

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

541
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
541
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

827
The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
827
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

400
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
400
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

101
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
101
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects01:21

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects

311
Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used for muscle paralysis and relieving pain following any muscle injury or stiffness. However, depending on the drug type, they can have adverse effects that range from mild to severe. Usually, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers have minimal side effects. For example, drugs like d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, and rocuronium cause hypotension, whereas drugs like baclofen, when stopped abruptly, can lead to the recurrence of spastic conditions.
Unlike...
311

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Comprehensive Care Goals in Myasthenia Gravis: Expert Consensus Recommendations Using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method.

Neurology. Clinical practice·2026
Same author

Genetically proxied inhibition of cholesterol-lowering drug targets and survival in HPV-positive and non-HPV driven head and neck cancer: a multicentre MR study.

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology·2026
Same author

Understanding patients' experiences and needs around decision-making for bulbar symptom management at a multidisciplinary ALS clinic.

Disability and rehabilitation·2026
Same author

Treatment Preferences of Patients With Myasthenia Gravis: A Qualitative Study.

Muscle & nerve·2026
Same author

HPV Serology and Circulating Viral DNA for Detection, Genotyping, and Measurement of Disease Burden in Oropharyngeal Cancer.

International journal of cancer·2026
Same author

Longitudinal validation of ENLIGHT, an AI predictor of immunotherapy response and resistance, in pan-cancer cohorts.

NPJ precision oncology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2025

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies
10:31

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies

Published on: October 25, 2018

12.3K

Myasthenia Gravis in Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Abdulrahman Alghabban1, Lucy Corke1, Hans Katzberg2

  • 1Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

JTO Clinical and Research Reports
|April 17, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can rarely cause myasthenia gravis (MG), a serious neurological condition. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this rare but potentially fatal ICI side effect.

Keywords:
Immune checkpoint inhibitorsImmune-related neurotoxicityMyasthenia gravisMyositis-myocarditis overlap

More Related Videos

Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
09:38

Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination

Published on: September 12, 2016

12.1K
Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells
09:01

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

220

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2025

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies
10:31

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies

Published on: October 25, 2018

12.3K
Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
09:38

Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination

Published on: September 12, 2016

12.1K
Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells
09:01

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

220

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Neurology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer treatment, leading to their use in earlier disease stages and combination therapies.
  • While generally safe, ICIs can cause immune-related adverse events, including rare but severe neurological toxicities like myasthenia gravis (MG).
  • Management guidelines exist for common ICI toxicities, but neurological complications like MG present unique challenges due to high morbidity and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients who developed myasthenia gravis (MG) after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
  • To highlight the diagnostic and management challenges associated with ICI-related MG, particularly in cases with negative serological markers or overlapping syndromes.

Main Methods:

  • A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted.
  • Data abstracted included presenting symptoms, treatments administered, and patient outcomes for individuals diagnosed with MG post-ICI therapy.

Main Results:

  • Sixteen patients developed MG after ICI treatment; 11 had concurrent myositis.
  • The median time to symptom onset was 49 days.
  • While most patients received steroids and some required additional immunosuppression or plasma exchange, outcomes varied: 2 complete resolutions, 8 improved with residual symptoms, 2 initial improvement then deterioration, and 4 worsened.
  • Mortality was significant, with 38% dying from MG complications and 19% from progressive cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myasthenia gravis is a rare, potentially fatal adverse event requiring prompt recognition and multidisciplinary management.
  • Diagnostic challenges, including negative serological markers and overlapping syndromes, contribute to high mortality rates.
  • Clinicians should maintain a low threshold for diagnosing and initiating early management of ICI-associated MG.