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[Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes in 2008]
1UMR-INSERM U842, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France. jerome.honnorat@chu-lyon.fr
Revue Neurologique
|June 16, 2009
Summary
Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are autoimmune disorders triggered by cancer, affecting the nervous system. Detecting specific onconeural antibodies aids in diagnosing PNS and identifying early-stage cancers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Oncology
- Neurology
Context:
- Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are rare neurological disorders.
- These syndromes are caused by the immune system's response to cancer.
- PNS can manifest before the primary tumor is clinically apparent.
Purpose:
- To define paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS).
- To explain the autoimmune mechanisms underlying PNS.
- To highlight the diagnostic and prognostic significance of onconeural antibodies.
Summary:
- PNS are remote effects of cancer, mediated by autoimmune processes targeting onconeural antigens shared by cancer and nervous tissue.
- Detection of specific anti-onconeural antibodies in serum and CSF offers high diagnostic accuracy for PNS (>90%).
- These antibodies can guide early cancer detection and are associated with prognosis, with novel antibodies against neuronal surface antigens indicating a better outcome.
Impact:
- Early diagnosis of PNS through antibody detection can lead to timely cancer treatment.
- Identification of onconeural antibodies aids in identifying the underlying malignancy, even when occult.
- Novel antibodies against neuronal surface antigens are linked to improved patient outcomes in paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis.
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