Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease involving the thymus in which 85 percent of patients have antibodies to muscle acetylcholine receptors (AchR-Ab) that interfere with neuromuscular transmission. MG frequently causes severe disability that can be life-threatening. Thymectomy-a surgical procedure that removes thymus gland tissue from the chest cavity-has been an established therapy for non-thymomatous MG, or MG without thymoma, for more than 60 years (based on retrospective, non-randomized studies). Corticosteroids are now being used increasingly either as the sole treatment or in combination with thymectomy. Both therapies have associated adverse effects and indications for their use based on randomized trial data are lacking. The purpose of this 5-year trial is to determine if the surgical procedure, extended transsternal thymectomy (ETTX), combined with prednisone therapy is more beneficial in treating individuals with non-thymomatous MG than prednisone therapy alone. More specifically, this study will determine 1) if ETTX combined with prednisone results in a greater improvement in myasthenic weakness, compared to prednisone alone; 2) if ETTX combined with prednisone results in a lower total dose of prednisone, thus decreasing the likelihood of concurrent and long-term toxic effects, compared to prednisone alone; and 3) if ETTX combined with prednisone enhances quality of life by reducing adverse events and symptoms associated with the therapies, compared to prednisone alone. Learning that thymectomy results in a meaningful reduction of prednisone dosage or even full withdrawal or reduces side effects related to prednisone would support using the two treatments-thymectomy and prednisone-together. However, if no meaningful reduction of prednisone dosage or side effects is shown, the results would mean that using the two treatments together offers no advantages over prednisone treatment alone. After an initial screening, study participants will be randomized either to undergo the surgical procedure ETTX and receive prednisone treatment, or to receive prednisone treatment alone without surgery. Participants will be followed for at least 3 years.
Inclusion Criteria: - Male and female MG patients age greater than 18 and less than 65 years - Onset of generalized MG within the last 5 years - Positive serum anti-acetylcholine receptor binding antibodies (muscle acetylcholine receptors, AchRAb =/> 1.00 nmol/L. AchRAb levels of 0.50-0.99 nmol/L will be acceptable if there is another confirmatory test for MG, including single-fiber electromyography (EMG), repetitive nerve stimulation, or unequivocal edrophonium testing.) - MGFA class II-IV at entry, using the MG Foundation of America (MGFA) classification, while receiving optimal anti-cholinesterase treatment with or without oral prednisone Exclusion Criteria: - Ocular MG without generalized weakness (MGFA Class I) or minimal weakness that would not require the use of corticosteroids - Myasthenic weakness requiring intubation (MGFA Class IV) in the prior month - Immunosuppressive therapy other than corticosteroids in the preceding year - Medically unfit for thymectomy - Chest CT evidence of thymoma. - Pregnancy or lactation; contraindications to the use of corticosteroids, unless postmenopausal or surgically sterile. Women considering becoming pregnant during the period of the study are to be excluded. - A serious concurrent medical, neurological or psychiatric condition that would interfere with thymectomy or subsequent clinical assessments - Current alternate day dose of prednisone > than 1.5 mg/kg or 100 mg or the equivalent daily doses (> 0.75 mg/kg or 50 mg). - Participation in another experimental clinical trial - History of alcohol or drug abuse within the 2 years prior to randomization.