Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension

Funding the Educational Mission in Neurology

Although it is self-evident that education in neurology is important and necessary, how to fund the educational mission is a frequent challenge for neurology departments and clinicians. Department chairs often resort to a piecemeal approach, cobbling together funding for educators from various sources, but frequently falling short. Here, we review the various sources available to fund the educational mission in neurology, understanding that not every department will have access to every source. We describe the multiple different teaching models and formats used by the modern student and educator and their associated costs, some of which are exorbitant. We discuss possible nonfinancial incentives, including pathways to promotion, educational research, and other awards and recognition. Neurological education is commonly underfunded, and departments and institutions must be nimble and creative in finding ways to fund the time and effort of educators

Appendices and supplementary material

Appendices and Supplementary Material

Data from: Neuropathy with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Objective: To explore the association of peripheral neuropathy with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) use in cancer patients. Methods: Published data search up to November 2018 reporting peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients treated with VEGFR-TKIs was performed. The primary outcome was presence of peripheral neuropathy at the end of the trial. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate Relative Risk (RR) of individual treatment. Results: Thirty Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) including 12,490 cancer patients were included in this analysis. Eight studies compared VEGFR-TKIs with placebo and the remaining studies compared VEGFR-TKIs with the standard chemotherapeutic regimen. When compared against placebo VEGFR-TKIs were associated with a higher risk of peripheral neuropathy (RR=1.76, 95% CI 1.13-2.75, p-value 0.01). Similarly, a stronger association was noted for sensory neuropathy with VEGFR-TKIs monotherapy (RR = 1.61; 95% CI 1.09-2.37, p = 0.02). Risk of peripheral neuropathy with VEGFR-TKIs was higher even when they were compared against control (either placebo or standard chemotherapeutic agents); RR=1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15, p-value 0.03. High-grade neuropathy (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.06-1.54, p-value <0.01) and high-grade sensory neuropathy (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.09-1.74, p-value <0.01) were noted more frequently with VEGFR-TKIs treatment compared against control. Conclusions: VEGFR-TKIs therapy appeared to be associated with an increased risk of neuropathy

Durability of the Rituximab Response in Acetylcholine Receptor Autoantibody-Positive Myasthenia Gravis

IMPORTANCE: Myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disorder of neuromuscular transmission, is treated by an array of immunotherapeutics, many of which are nonspecific. Even with current therapies, a subset of patients has medically refractory MG. The benefits of B-cell-targeted therapy with rituximab have been observed in MG; however, the duration of these benefits after treatment is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the durability of response to rituximab in the treatment of acetylcholine receptor autoantibody-positive (AChR+) generalized MG. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective case series study included 16 patients with AChR+ MG referred to an MG clinic from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2015. The patients were treated with rituximab and followed up for 18 to 84 months after treatment. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Assessment of long-term clinical response, durability of response and/or relapse rate, AChR autoantibody levels, adverse effects, and inflammatory markers. RESULTS: In the 16 patients (6 men and 10 women; median age, 42 [range, 18-69] years), clinical improvement was observed in parallel with complete withdrawal or reduction of other immunotherapies, with all patients achieving complete stable remission, pharmacologic remission, or minimal manifestations based on the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America postintervention status criteria. Nine patients (56%) had a relapse during a mean follow-up of 36 (range, 24-47) months. Seven patients (44%) remained relapse free with a mean follow-up of 47 (range, 18-81) months since the last rituximab treatment. All values were normalized to a pretreatment anti-AChR antibody level of 100% and the mean levels after each rituximab cycle were calculated. A 33% decrease was seen after cycle 1 of rituximab treatment (100% vs 67%; P = .004); 20% after cycle 2 (compared with cycle 1) (67% vs 47%; P = .008); and 17% after cycle 3 (compared with cycle 2) (47% vs 30%; P = .02). However, the serum cytokine levels measured were found to be unchanged. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Rituximab therapy appears to be an effective option in patients with refractory AChR+ MG, who were observed to have a durable response after treatment. Identification of markers of disease relapse and sustained remission are critical next steps in the development of pathophysiology-relevant, evidence-based practice parameters for rituximab in the treatment of MG

Independent Home Use of a Brain-Computer Interface by People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Objective: To assess the reliability and usefulness of an EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI) for patients with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who used it independently at home for up to 18 months. Methods: Of 42 patients consented, 39 (93%) met the study criteria, and 37 (88%) were assessed for use of the Wadsworth BCI. Nine (21%) could not use the BCI. Of the other 28, 27 (men, age 28-79 years) (64%) had the BCI placed in their homes, and they and their caregivers were trained to use it. Use data were collected by Internet. Periodic visits evaluated BCI benefit and burden and quality of life. Results: Over subsequent months, 12 (29% of the original 42) left the study because of death or rapid disease progression and 6 (14%) left because of decreased interest. Fourteen (33%) completed training and used the BCI independently, mainly for communication. Technical problems were rare. Patient and caregiver ratings indicated that BCI benefit exceeded burden. Quality of life remained stable. Of those not lost to the disease, half completed the study; all but 1 patient kept the BCI for further use. Conclusion: The Wadsworth BCI home system can function reliably and usefully when operated by patients in their homes. BCIs that support communication are at present most suitable for people who are severely disabled but are otherwise in stable health. Improvements in BCI convenience and performance, including some now underway, should increase the number of people who find them useful and the extent to which they are used