How does Ultomiris work for myasthenia gravis?

Ultomiris works for myasthenia gravis (gMG) by blocking part of the immune system called the complement proteins. Myasthenia gravis is caused by the immune system mistakenly damaging the way nerves and muscles communicate, which makes the muscles weak. When Ultomiris inhibits complement proteins, the communication between nerves and muscles is better so muscles can work more effectively, and this improves the symptoms and signs of myasthenia gravis.

Ultomiris infusion is used to improve symptoms of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are AChR antibody-positive. Ultomiris helps with muscle weakness and body movements to improve daily functions such as talking, shortness of breath, chewing, swallowing, vision, and moving about.

Myasthenia gravis is caused by a problem with nerve signals being sent to muscles, due to the body's immune system attacking the receptors between the muscles and nerves at a place called neuromuscular junction. Normally, the chemical messenger called acetylcholine binds to its receptor, making the muscle contract. Myasthenia gravis, which is anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive, is caused by antibodies from the immune system having a damaging effect on the acetylcholine receptor.

Related questions

• How does Ultomiris compare to Soliris for PNH?
• How long does an Ultomiris infusion take?
• How long does it take for Ultomiris to work?

Ultomiris mechanism of action.

Ultomiris is a complement inhibitor. Ultomiris mechanism of action of action is not fully understood but thought to by binding and blocking complement protein C5 which inhibits a proinflammatory effect at the neuromuscular junction.

How well does Ultomiris work for myasthenia gravis?

After taking Ultomiris for myasthenia gravis you might see improvements in activities of daily living within 1 week. In clinical studies, people taking Ultomiris for generalized myasthenia gravis experienced sustained improvement through 26 weeks of treatment.

Improvement was measured as an improvement in the MG Activities of Daily Living scale (MG-ADL) score. The MG-ADL score looks at how MG impacts daily functions. The MG-ADL score assesses how MG impacts daily functions and is based on the patient’s recall during the prior week of how MG has affected their talking, chewing, swallowing, shortness of breath, eyelid lid droop, double vision, getting up from a chair, and other daily tasks such as brushing teeth or hair. score can range from zero (normal) to 24 (most severe).