Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) may benefit from several newer antibody treatments, but no single option works best for every symptom, according to research published recently in Brain and Behavior.
Researchers reviewed 18 randomized controlled trials published between 2017 and 2025 to compare monoclonal antibody therapies, which are designed to target specific parts of the immune system. They found that different drugs showed varying strengths in improving daily function, muscle strength, quality of life or safety, suggesting treatment should be tailored to each patient.
“[N]o single monoclonal antibody demonstrates superiority across all domains (symptom relief, functional improvement, quality of life, safety), underscoring the importance of individualized therapy guided by patient-specific priorities, including symptom burden, tolerability, and quality of life,” explained the authors of this analysis.
Read more about therapies for MG
For daily activities, the drug rozanolixzumab at 10 mg/kg showed the strongest improvement. Patients taking this treatment had a meaningful reduction in symptoms that interfere with everyday tasks, based on the MG Activities of Daily Living score. Several other therapies also helped, but none ranked higher for this measure.
When looking at muscle strength, batoclimab at 680 mg performed best. It significantly reduced scores on the Quantitative MG scale, which measures physical weakness. A lower dose of batoclimab, 340 mg, showed the highest likelihood of improving overall severity of disease based on the MG Composite score, although this result did not reach statistical significance.
Quality of life improved most with eculizumab. This medication led to the largest decrease in scores on a 15-item quality-of-life questionnaire, meaning patients reported feeling better overall. Other drugs also showed benefits, but none matched its ranking in this area.
Safety is another key factor. Belimumab at 10 mg/kg was most likely to have fewer side effects, while satralizumab was associated with a higher rate of adverse events. Most other treatments had safety profiles similar to placebo, meaning they did not significantly increase side effects.
For patients, these findings mean there are more options than ever before, but choosing the right one depends on individual goals. Some treatments may be better for improving strength, while others may help with daily functioning or overall well-being. Doctors and patients can use this information to make more personalized decisions, balancing benefits and risks to find the best approach for managing this chronic condition.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives, and information about MG sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
