Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology

Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology

The disease process of myasthenia gravis begins at the neuromuscular junction, where antibodies attack key proteins needed for muscle activation. This immune reaction weakens signal transmission, leading to the characteristic muscle fatigue and weakness that define the condition.Immune-Mediated DamageIn most individuals, antibodies target acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on the postsynaptic membrane of muscle cells. By blocking acetylcholine binding, these antibodies prevent the nerve signal...

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...

Abnormal Proliferation

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

ICI-induced Granulomatous Sialadenitis is Responsive to Prednisone.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Same author

Prevalence of novel Sjögren's antibodies in a multi-center cohort of dry eye patients.

The ocular surface·2025

Same author

Plain language summary: treatment of Sjögren's disease with dazodalibep.

Immunotherapy·2025

Same author

GZMK<sup>+</sup>CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells target a specific acinar cell type in Sjögren's disease.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2025

Same author

Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Screening Practices in Systemic Sclerosis: Survey Insights of Rheumatologists in the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Mediterranean journal of rheumatology·2025

Same author

2023 International Rome consensus for the nomenclature of Sjögren disease.

Nature reviews. Rheumatology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy

Published on: October 31, 2025

Malignancy in myositis.

Zaki Abou Zahr¹, Alan N Baer

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Good Samaritan Hospital, 5601 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239, USA. dr_zaki_abouzahr@yahoo.com

Current Rheumatology Reports

|February 22, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Dermatomyositis and polymyositis, inflammatory muscle diseases, are linked to cancer in a significant percentage of patients. Early evaluation for occult malignancy is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy

Published on: October 31, 2025

Area of Science:

Rheumatology
Oncology
Immunology

Background:

Dermatomyositis and polymyositis are idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.
A significant association exists between these myopathies and underlying malignancies, particularly adenocarcinomas and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
The paraneoplastic phenomenon is thought to involve an immune response to shared antigens.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the association between dermatomyositis/polymyositis and malignancy.
To identify predictive factors for malignancy in myositis patients.
To emphasize the need for malignancy screening in affected individuals.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and associated cancers.
Analysis of factors predictive of malignancy, including disease severity and autoantibody profiles.
Discussion of diagnostic and screening recommendations.

Main Results:

Approximately 24% of dermatomyositis cases are associated with malignancy.
Predictive factors include severe skin/muscle disease and absence of connective tissue disease overlap.
Anti-p155/140 antibodies show strong predictive value for malignancy in adults.
Common malignancies include ovarian, lung, and GI adenocarcinomas (Western) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Asia/Africa).

Conclusions:

Patients with dermatomyositis or polymyositis require thorough evaluation for occult malignancy at diagnosis and during follow-up.
Identifying predictive factors and specific autoantibodies aids in risk stratification.
Prompt cancer screening is essential due to the paraneoplastic nature of these associations.