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Anti-neuronal nuclear autoantibody type 2: paraneoplastic accompaniments
Sean J Pittock1, Claudia F Lucchinetti, Vanda A Lennon
1Department of Neurology, Mayo Graduate and Medical Schools, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Annals of Neurology
|May 6, 2003
Summary
The anti-Ri antibody (ANNA-2) is linked to paraneoplastic neurological disorders, often associated with cancer. Early detection and treatment of cancer can improve neurological outcomes in affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Subacute neurological disorders can be paraneoplastic, indicating an underlying cancer.
- Identifying specific autoantibodies aids in diagnosing paraneoplastic syndromes.
Observation:
- The IgG autoantibody ANNA-2 (anti-Ri) was found in 34 patients with suspected paraneoplastic neurological disorders.
- Cancer was diagnosed in 86% of these patients, frequently preceding or coinciding with neurological symptoms.
- Observed neurological disorders included brainstem, cerebellar, and peripheral nervous system syndromes, alongside movement disorders and seizures.
Findings:
- ANNA-2 autoantibodies are significantly associated with various cancers, particularly lung and breast carcinoma.
- Neurological symptoms associated with ANNA-2 can be severe, leading to disability.
- Most patients showed neurological improvement with immunomodulatory or tumor-directed therapies.
Implications:
- ANNA-2 autoantibody testing is valuable for diagnosing paraneoplastic neurological disorders.
- Targeting the underlying cancer and employing immunomodulatory treatments can lead to better patient outcomes.
- Further research into ANNA-2's role in paraneoplastic syndromes may reveal more about tumor-autoantibody interactions.