Research highlights 2026 – No. 1 | Myasthenia, myositis
In this Research Highlights issue, we present recent study findings on thymectomy and CAR-T cell therapy in myasthenia, as well as the evaluation of ChatGPT for supporting rehabilitation in adolescents with myositis.
Should the thymus be removed in ocular myasthenia?
In nearly half of cases, autoimmune myasthenia initially presents with ocular symptoms such as ptosis or diplopia. In selected patients, treatment at this stage may include thymectomy.
This strategy is supported by an Italian study involving 174 adults with ocular-onset myasthenia. Participants underwent either early thymectomy (n=112) or delayed thymectomy (n=62). Five years later, stable complete remission (no disease manifestations and no specific treatment) was observed in 23% of patients who underwent surgery at the ocular stage, compared with 11% of those operated on after generalisation of the disease. Remission rates were even higher in patients without thymoma.
When ChatGPT builds exercise programmes for teenagers with myositis
Researchers asked ChatGPT-4 to answer 70 frequently asked questions on physical activity and rehabilitation in adolescents with inflammatory myopathies, including safe exercise during disease flares, adaptation according to muscle or joint involvement, and strategies to maintain strength and flexibility.
Overall, the AI-generated responses were considered accurate and reasonably reliable. However, they required a university-level reading ability, making them poorly accessible to the general public. Healthcare professionals therefore remain essential to interpret, personalise and supervise adapted physical activity programmes.
A new positive CAR-T cell trial in refractory myasthenia
Eighteen adults with generalised myasthenia refractory to standard treatments received an infusion of CAR-T cells targeting CD19 and BCMA, two molecules involved in autoantibody production.
Seventeen participants completed six months of follow-up and showed significant clinical improvement. At the end of follow-up, 82% had achieved minimal manifestation status, 88% were able to discontinue corticosteroids, all had stopped other immunosuppressive treatments, and 47% no longer had detectable anti-AChR autoantibodies.