News

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has sent a notice of allowance for two additional patents for Firdapse (amifampridine), Catalyst Pharmaceuticals’ approved therapy for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), for claims related to its bioavailability under fasting and fed dosing conditions. Catalyst, which has licensing rights in North…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review Catalyst Pharmaceuticals’ request to raise to 100 mg the maximum recommended daily dose of Firdapse (amifampridine), its approved treatment for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). Firdapse’s label allows for an 80 mg maximum daily dose…

When United Nations (UN) member states gathered recently to discuss advancing universal health coverage by 2030, a side event was also held that focused on universal coverage for people with rare disorders. The event, titled “A Blueprint for Leaving No One Behind,” was held in New York by…

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…

In the first documented case of its kind, spontaneous cancer regression was seen in a man in Japan with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) associated with lung cancer. Given that cancer-associated LEMS is thought to be triggered by the immune system attacking cancer cells, scientists believe such a LEMS-driving immune…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is now accepting applications from patient advocacy organizations — ones focused on supporting people with a rare disease, such as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) — to implement two new patient registries on its IAMRARE platform. To amplify its set of…

A 62-year-old woman with a long history of smoking was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) after experiencing rare symptoms of the autoimmune disease — specifically, early respiratory failure and unresponsive pupils. These symptoms occurred following an in-hospital cardiac arrest, the clinicians noted in a case report. Initially treated for…

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) may be underdiagnosed in a sizeable fraction of people with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a study analyzing real-world data suggests. Based on these findings, scientists argue that standardized protocols to screen people with SCLC for LEMS “may be warranted.” David Morrell, senior vice president…

People with one or more rare diseases, such as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), face a wide range of obstacles that call attention to the need for better support and resources, according to a survey of patients living in Québec, Canada. Such obstacles include diagnostic uncertainty, condescending attitudes from healthcare…

Using digital tools to measure changes in gait and other aspects of physical activity outside of a hospital setting is a promising avenue for research in rare neurological disorders like Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) — but more research is needed to validate these tools for use in studies. That’s…