- Memorial Award for Neurology Residents-in-Training Announced in Memory of
Dr. John Newsom-Davis
To commemorate Dr. John Newsom-Davis’ life and his dedication to improving the treatment of patients with myasthenia gravis, MGFA has established The Dr. John Newsom-Davis Award for Neurology Residents-in-Training (registrars, residents or fellows) to attend scientific or clinical meetings related to myasthenia gravis.
Dr. Newsom-Davis was a leader in clinical and basic research related to myasthenia gravis. His death is a major loss to patients with MG, practitioners and researchers. MGFA is honored to take this step forward towards a “world without MG” by making this new funding available in Dr. Newsom-Davis’ name.
Awards will be given to residents who wish to present their MG related research at a recognized professional event or gathering, such as the MGFA Annual Scientific Session. Other considerations may include travel and lodging for a resident to attend a meeting that might significantly further his or her understanding of MG and related autoimmune diseases.
Applications and selection criteria are available online. All applications are subject to review by members of the MGFA Medical/Scientific Advisory Board with final approval by the MGFA Executive Committee. Donations to the John Newsom-Davis Fund can be made online at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=73dc5b.
Questions may be directed to Tor Holtan, chief executive of MGFA, at (800) 541-5454, or by email at tholtan@myasthenia.org.
The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) is the only national volunteer health agency dedicated solely to the fight against myasthenia gravis. MGFA has 27 chapters around the United States serving patients and their families and caregivers through support groups and programs.
- MGTX: Thymectomy Trial:
Update February 2008.
Thus far there are 78 centers worldwide that are now participating in this important NIH-sponsored clinical trial and 7 6% are actively recruiting. Of the 78 centers, 18 centers were added last year and majority of them are currently working on their regulatory approvals . For additional information we refer interested parties to the MGTX website, http://www.soph.uab.edu/mgtx/.
Thirty five patients have now been entered into the study. Additionally updated information may be found at http://clinicaltrials.gov(and enter the search term myasthenia gravis).
The http://clinicaltrials.gov website lists the centers currently recruiting, the principle investigator at each center, the contact information, and the inclusion/exclusion criteria for patient enrollment in MGTX.
- Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept) Clinical Trial Update
March 28, 2007
Introduction: Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) is an immunosuppressive drug that is currently in widespread use for the treatment of autoimmune MG. Members of the MGFA MSAB are reviewing the results of two recently completed clinical trials of Cellcept in the treatment of MG. While there is no current consensus regarding the optimal role of Cellcept in treating MG patients, the results of these studies will help guide our usage of the drug. Additionally the results of these studies will likely have an impact on the design of future clinical trails of Cellcept and other drugs therapies in MG.
Clinical trials and results: In both studies patients were randomly assigned to receive either Cellcept or a placebo and were evaluated by blinded investigators. Patients in these studies were also treated with prednisone and pyridostigmine (Mestinon) and some had previously undergone thymectomy. One study lasted 3 months and the other lasted 9 months. The two studies showed similar results in that patients treated with Cellcept (along with prednisone and Mestinon) had an outcome similar to those patients who did not receive Cellcept. While the two studies did not demonstrate a benefit from Cellcept it is important to look carefully at all of the data, consider the type of patients studied, the design of the studies, the impact of prednisone and Mestinon, duration of treatment, and many other factors that could influence the results.
What does this information mean to practicing physicians and their patients? In current clinical practice there are differing views on the use of Cellcept and other immunosuppressive drug options for treatment of MG. Patients with questions about their own use of Cellcept are advised to discuss their management with their individual physician. Many clinicians feel strongly that Cellcept is an excellent drug for the treatment of myasthenia gravis even though these two studies did not demonstrate a benefit. Patients should also keep in mind that since these studies have just recently been completed their physicians may have limited information regarding the specifics of the results. Most physicians wish to have all available information prior to making significant decisions about treatment options in for MG patients.
The next steps? The MSAB of the MGFA has formed an ad hoc committee charged with further exploration of the results of these studies as well as the development of new trials that might better clarify the role of Cellcept in the treatment of MG. This MSAB "Cellcept Study Group" will provide periodic updates to the MGFA membership.
- Clinical Research Standards (PDF)
- Clinical Trails Database, www.clinicaltrials.gov, from the National Institutes of Health
Just search the database for the keyword "Myasthenia Gravis." You may be particularly interested in information on the ongoing thymectomy trial and on the Phase III trial of Mycophenolate Mofetil in Myasthenia Gravis.
- The Neurosciences Group, http://www.mgauk.org//annrep97/99ar-03.htm
(U.K.) - Profs. Angela Vincent and Nick Wilcox
- PubMed, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi
from the National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health.
