Myasthenia gravis: New therapeutic approaches based on pathophysiology

Over the past 40 years Dr. Robert Lisak has made important contributions to our understanding of the pathophysiology and therapy of myasthenia gravis. This review will touch upon some of his work as it discusses current therapies and the potential for new treatments based on the evolving knowledge of the underlying basis of the disease. The recognition of different immune mechanisms that can cause the phenotype that we acknowledge as myasthenia gravis coincides with the introduction of monoclonal antibodies and other new therapies that can target specific aspects of the disease. This has raised our hopes for treatments that will have less side effects and be more effective. In some cases these hopes have been realized. In other instances, the situation remains a “work in progress”. Dr. Lisak's work and teachings remain cogent to our modern approach to this classic immunologic disease.