Immunosuppressant drugs myasthenia gravis

More than 90% of patients with myasthenia gravis have circulating antibodies directed against a subunit of the acetylcholine receptor/ Immunosuppressive drugs and steroids help to cut down on these autoantibodies, and many patients are benefit-ted by removal of the thymus. Newer approaches involve specific immunotherapy aimed at increasing tolerance to either T cells or to B cells.C/d For example, oral ingestion of purified acetylcholine receptors to desensitize the body s response or inhibition of production of 11-2. 

Azathioprine is indicated in renal homotransplantation (five-year patient survival rate of 35%) in rheumatoid arthritis (for patients with severe, active, and erosive disease not responding to conventional therapies) and in chronic ulcerative colitis, myasthenia gravis, and Behcet s syndrome (adverse effects may offset its limited value). As with other cytotoxic drugs, azathioprine can affect rapidly growing cells, resulting in leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal toxicity. In addition, hepatotoxicity (cholestasis) has been reported. Many of the general problems of immunosuppression, such as increased risk of infections, can also occur. 

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