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Early-Onset Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Myasthenia Gravis Following First-Cycle Pembrolizumab: Diagnostic
Ziad Gaafar1, Salma Ahmed1, Ayoub Tantush1
1Acute Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, GBR.
Cureus
|March 4, 2026
Summary
Immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause myasthenia gravis (MG). Early diagnosis and treatment with corticosteroids and IVIG are crucial for recovery, even without specific biomarkers. This case highlights challenges in diagnosing ICI-induced MG.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) offer novel cancer immunotherapy but can cause severe immune-related adverse events.
- Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder increasingly linked to ICI use, posing diagnostic challenges due to its rarity.
- Delayed diagnosis of ICI-induced MG (IrMG) can lead to increased patient morbidity and mortality.
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