Myasthenia Gravis Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: An Emerging Neurotoxicity in Neuro-Oncology Practice: Case Series

J Clin Med. 2022 Dec 24;12(1):130. doi: 10.3390/jcm12010130.

Abstract

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been reported to induce de novo or exacerbate pre-existing Myasthenia Gravis (MG). We present a single center case series of patients who developed an immune-related myasthenia gravis (irMG) related with ICIs. We performed a retrospective chart review of the electronic medical records between 1 September 2017 and 2022. We report the clinical features, presentation forms, diagnostic workflows, general management and outcomes of six patients who received ICIs for different solid organ malignancies and developed an irMG frequently overlapping with immune-related myocarditis and/or myositis. The aim of the article is to describe the clinical features, treatment and outcomes of this challenging and potentially life-threating syndrome, comparing our data with those described in the literature. Differences between irMG and classic MG are highlighted.

Keywords: immune checkpoint inhibitors; immune-related adverse events; myasthenia gravis; neuro-oncology; neurotoxicity.