Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

In an elderly man, Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) was complicated by overlapping symptoms of autoimmune encephalitis, a type of brain inflammation caused by self-reactive antibodies, according to a report from Japan. “When atypical symptoms occur in patients with LEMS, it is important to consider the possibility of concomitant autoimmune…

It can take as long as nine years for doctors to be able to detect a small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in people with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), as evidenced by a new case report from Italy. The report describes a man, 61, who was tested every six months…

People with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) should be cautious when taking Firdapse (amifampridine) together with acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter pain killer and fever reducer, to avoid unwanted interactions that could compromise how safe Firdapse is and how well it works, a study in rats suggests. The study, “…

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals wants to increase the maximum recommended daily dosage of Firdapse (amifampridine), its Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) treatment, to 100 mg. Plans are underway to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the new dose, the company announced in a press release detailing its…

An elderly man in Japan is reported to have developed Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) as a likely side effect of being treated with Tecentriq (atezolizumab) for a type of cancer called small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The report, “Atezolizumab-Induced Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome in a Patient With Small-Cell Lung…

An elderly woman treated with three courses of pembrolizumab — known by its brand name Keytruda — for a type of lung cancer, called non-small cell lung cancer, had her symptoms of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) return after more than 20 years, according to a report from Japan.

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals plans to file an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting that the use of Firdapse (amifampridine), an approved oral therapy for adults with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), be expanded to children. The announcement came after the company received a favorable decision from…