Available treatment options for the management of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome

Jan J G M Verschuuren; Paul W Wirtz; Maarten J Titulaer; Luuk N A Willems; Joop van Gerven

doi:10.1517/14656566.7.10.1323

Available treatment options for the management of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2006 Jul;7(10):1323-36. doi: 10.1517/14656566.7.10.1323.

Authors

Jan J G M Verschuuren¹, Paul W Wirtz, Maarten J Titulaer, Luuk N A Willems, Joop van Gerven

Affiliation

¹ Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands. j.j.g.m.verschuuren@lumc.nl

PMID: 16805718
DOI: 10.1517/14656566.7.10.1323

Abstract

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome is a rare, but reasonably well-understood, antibody-mediated autoimmune disease that is caused by serum auto-antibodies and results in muscle weakness and autonomic dysfunction. One half of the patients have an idiopathic form, the other half a tumour-associated form of the disease. Three randomised trials and a large number of smaller clinical studies have resulted in a number of drugs becoming available for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Several drugs are available for the symptomatic treatment of the disease, including guanidine, aminopyridines or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Other therapies aim to deplete the serum autoantibodies or to suppress the immune system. For this purpose, immunomodulating strategies, such as intravenous immunoglobulins or plasmapheresis, or several immunosuppressive agents are available. Chemotherapy has successfully ameliorated the course of disease in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome patients with an underlying tumour.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

4-Aminopyridine / therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
Carcinoma, Small Cell / complications
Carcinoma, Small Cell / drug therapy*
Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
Cisplatin / therapeutic use
Etoposide / therapeutic use
Guanidine / therapeutic use
Humans
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
Immunotherapy* / methods
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / complications
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / drug therapy*
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / therapy
Lung Neoplasms / complications
Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Parasympathomimetics / therapeutic use*
Plasmapheresis
Potassium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use*
Prednisolone / therapeutic use
Pyridostigmine Bromide / therapeutic use
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
Immunosuppressive Agents
Parasympathomimetics
Potassium Channel Blockers
Etoposide
Prednisolone
4-Aminopyridine
Guanidine
Pyridostigmine Bromide
Cisplatin