# Methylprednisolone pulse versus docetaxel in recurrent thymoma with myasthenia gravis

## TL;DR

This study compares methylprednisolone and docetaxel for treating recurrent thymoma with myasthenia gravis, finding that methylprednisolone is more effective for thymoma but has more side effects.

## Contribution

The study provides a direct comparison of two treatment options for recurrent thymoma with MG, highlighting their relative efficacy and safety profiles.

## Key findings

- Methylprednisolone showed higher objective response and disease control rates for thymoma compared to docetaxel.
- Docetaxel had fewer adverse events compared to methylprednisolone.
- Both treatments similarly improved myasthenia gravis symptoms.

## Abstract

This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of methylprednisolone pulse versus docetaxel in treating recurrent thymoma with myasthenia gravis (MG).

We conducted a single-center, open-label, retrospective study that included 90 patients with thymoma recurrence accompanied by MG, who were treated with either methylprednisolone pulse or docetaxel. Compared the improvement rate of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Post-intervention Status (MGFA-PIS) and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis Score (QMGS), changes in acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AchR-AB), and alterations in thymoma after treatment. Adverse events were also recorded.

Both treatments significantly reduced QMGS and AchR-AB levels (p < 0.05). For MG, the overall effective rate (ORR1) was similar between groups (p > 0.05). However, the methylprednisolone group showed a higher objective response rate (ORR2) and disease control rate (DCR) for thymoma (p < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction incidence was 66.7% for the methylprednisolone group and 44.4% for the docetaxel group (p < 0.05).

Methylprednisolone is more effective against thymoma than docetaxel for recurrent thymoma with MG, but has greater side effects. Docetaxel has similar MG efficacy compared to methylprednisolone, and with fewer side effects. The choice of treatment should be based on the patient’s specific clinical situation.