Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ruzurgi (amifampridine) for the treatment of children ages 6–17 with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). The approval makes Ruzurgi, developed by Jacobus Pharmaceutical, the only therapy approved for children with LEMS. In December 2018, the FDA announced the approval of…

A case of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) was associated with a hormone-related tumor in a patient’s oropharynx, or the middle part of the throat, according to a case report. Although both of these neurological conditions have been linked to lung cancer, this is…

Firdapse led to clinically significant improvements, compared with a placebo, in adult patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), according to full results of a Phase 3 trial. The results were published in the Journal of Clinical Neuromuscular Disease in a study titled “Amifampridine Phosphate (Firdapse) Is Effective in…

A repetitive nerve stimulation test can help diagnose and differentiate between Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and myasthenia gravis (MG) patients undergoing a myasthenic crisis, a study shows. The study, “Repetitive nerve stimulation test in myasthenic crisis,” was published in the journal Muscle & Nerve.   LEMS and MG are…

In recognition of the economic burden that comes with a diagnosis of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS), the Assistance Fund has opened a financial assistance program to help eligible patients pay out-of-pocket medical expenses. The Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome Financial Assistance Program has more information on how to enroll at…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Firdapse (amifampridine phosphate), developed by Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, for adults with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), making it the first approved therapy in the U.S. for the condition. “There has been a long-standing need for a treatment for this rare…

A quick and noninvasive test, called the triple-timed up-and-go test, is a reliable and reproducible tool to assess muscle weakness in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) patients, according to a study. Results from the study will be presented at the upcoming American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual…

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) can occur along with other autoimmune diseases affecting the nervous system, namely limbic encephalitis, in patients with lung cancer, a case study found. The study, “Coexistence of Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome and autoimmune encephalitis with anti-CRMP5/CV2 and anti-GABAB receptor antibodies in small cell lung cancer: A case…