Did efgartigimod improve daily living scores for Chinese patients with myasthenia gravis?

Efgartigimod is a medication that reduces harmful antibodies in the blood. For Chinese patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), several real-world studies show that efgartigimod improves daily living scores, as measured by the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale. The MG-ADL scale assesses how well patients can perform everyday tasks like talking, chewing, and breathing. Overall, the evidence indicates that efgartigimod is effective in this population.

What the research says

Multiple studies in Chinese patients with gMG have reported that efgartigimod leads to meaningful improvements in MG-ADL scores. A retrospective study of 81 patients found that 80.25% achieved an MG-ADL response (a reduction of at least 2 points) after one treatment cycle ³. A multicenter real-world study of 61 patients reported that 97% achieved clinically meaningful improvement, with MG-ADL scores dropping to an average of 3.8 by week 12 ⁶. Another prospective study of 14 patients showed a mean reduction of 6 points on the MG-ADL scale at week 4, with 85.7% achieving responder status ⁸. These findings are consistent with the global ADAPT trial, which showed that efgartigimod improved MG-ADL scores in both sexes ⁴. A systematic review of FcRn blockers, including efgartigimod, confirmed that these drugs significantly improve MG-ADL scores compared to placebo ⁵.

What to ask your doctor

• How does efgartigimod compare with other treatments I am currently using for myasthenia gravis?
• What are the possible side effects of efgartigimod, and how are they managed?
• How long does it typically take to see improvement in daily living activities after starting efgartigimod?
• Is efgartigimod available through a patient access program or insurance in China?
• How often would I need to receive efgartigimod infusions, and for how long?