Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is offering a financial support program to aid people with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and their caregivers. The LEMS Patient Assistance Program can provide financial support to cover out-of-pocket healthcare costs linked directly to treatment and care for the autoimmune disease, according…

Firdapse (amifampridine) has been approved in Japan to treat people with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). The therapy will be supplied in the form of oral tablets containing 10 mg of amifampridine, according to Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, the company that holds Firdapse’s licensing rights in North America. In collaboration with…

Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) may, in rare cases, manifest with severe respiratory muscle weakness leading to respiratory failure, researchers noted in a case study. “Establishing the association of LEMS with respiratory disease could lead to timely identification of LEMS, diagnosis of an underlying malignancy (if unknown), and initiation of…

The lack of a reflex response that was relieved temporarily after exercise, a phenomenon known as post-exercise facilitation, is an early sign of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), a case report suggests. The report described the case of a woman, 62, who had a neuroendocrine tumor in the gallbladder…

A 40-year-old man who developed Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) secondary to a cancer of the lymphatic system saw his LEMS symptoms ease only after he received comprehensive treatment involving several medical specialties, according to a case report. The patient, who had a type of B-cell lymphoma, developed weakness…

A case of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) was identified in an older man who was initially hospitalized with a wrongful diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia. He was later diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive form of lung cancer that is often associated with LEMS, but was too…

A possible first case of a man with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) developing Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) after being treated with Tecentriq (atezolizumab) has been reported in Pennsylvania. This case adds to prior evidence linking the use of Tecentriq, as well as the immunotherapies Opdivo and…

A total of 30 patient advocacy groups working to further understanding and the needs of people living with rare diseases have been selected to receive a Horizon Therapeutics‘ #RAREis Global Advocate Grant. Winners of this year’s inaugural awards are spread across nine countries and represent a total of 29 rare…

Sessions advocating for increased access to treatment for rare diseases, and the need for greater equity, were some of the featured highlights of the NORD “Living Rare, Living Stronger Patient and Family Forum.” Other key takeaways from the forum — hosted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders, known…

Lawmakers in Connecticut agreed to set up a permanent Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC), an advisory body working to better address the unique needs of people with rare diseases like Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). An effort to establish these councils across the U.S. and to optimize existing ones,…