Could a common arthritis drug ease tough myasthenia gravis?
NCT ID NCT04431895
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested the drug tofacitinib in 19 adults with refractory myasthenia gravis, a condition where standard treatments fail. Participants took a 5 mg tablet twice daily for 4 months, followed by a 1-month washout. The study measured changes in muscle strength and daily living activities. As an early-phase, single-arm trial, it provides initial safety and efficacy data but cannot prove the drug works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
tofacitinib (a JAK inhibitor, taken as a 5 mg tablet twice daily)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a new oral treatment option for people with myasthenia gravis that does not respond to standard therapies.
What could go wrong
This is a very early, small pilot study with only 19 participants and no placebo group. Results may not apply to all patients, and tofacitinib has known risks like infections and blood clots.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Huashan Hospital
Shanghai, 200040, China