Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis after zoledronic acid and denosumab: a novel clinical observation with therapeutic implications

Patients affected by myasthenia gravis undergoing long-term corticosteroid therapy have an increased risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures, frequently requiring antiresorptive treatment. Although bisphosphonates and denosumab are generally well tolerated, rare cases of onset or worsening of myasthenic symptoms following bisphosphonate therapy have been reported, while no cases associated with denosumab have been described to date. We report the case of a 78-year-old woman with long-standing, stable myasthenia gravis who developed a significant exacerbation of myasthenic symptoms following intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid and, subsequently, after a single administration of denosumab. In both instances, a temporary increase in corticosteroid therapy was required. Following these events, antiresorptive agents were discontinued, and supplementation with cholecalciferol was maintained. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of exacerbation of myasthenic symptoms following denosumab administration.

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Publication Details

Journal
BMC Neurology
Published
2026-06-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-026-05036-8
Primary Topic
Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma
Type
article
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article

Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis after zoledronic acid and denosumab: a novel clinical observation with therapeutic implications

Laura Mori, Stefania Canneva, Carlo Trompetto, Anna De Giovanni et al.
BMC Neurology
Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma
article

Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis after zoledronic acid and denosumab: a novel clinical observation with therapeutic implications

Laura Mori, Stefania Canneva, Carlo Trompetto, Anna De Giovanni, M C de Grandis, Felicita Pagella
article en

Abstract

Patients affected by myasthenia gravis undergoing long-term corticosteroid therapy have an increased risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures, frequently requiring antiresorptive treatment. Although bisphosphonates and denosumab are generally well tolerated, rare cases of onset or worsening of myasthenic symptoms following bisphosphonate therapy have been reported, while no cases associated with denosumab have been described to date. We report the case of a 78-year-old woman with long-standing, stable myasthenia gravis who developed a significant exacerbation of myasthenic symptoms following intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid and, subsequently, after a single administration of denosumab. In both instances, a temporary increase in corticosteroid therapy was required. Following these events, antiresorptive agents were discontinued, and supplementation with cholecalciferol was maintained. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of exacerbation of myasthenic symptoms following denosumab administration.

BMC Neurology
Repubblica e Cantone Ticino (CH), Azienda Sanitaria Locale Alessandria (IT), Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (IT), University of Genoa (IT)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma
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Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis after zoledronic acid and denosumab: a novel clinical observation with therapeutic implications — Laura Mori, Stefania Canneva, et al. · BMC Neurology (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS