Autoimmune pathogenesis of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes Journal Article


Authors: Anderson, N. E.; Cunningham, J. M.; Posner, J. B.
Article Title: Autoimmune pathogenesis of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes
Abstract: "Remote effects" of cancer on the nervous system (paraneoplastic syndromes) are disorders of the nervous system of unknown cause that occur almost exclusively, or with greatly increased frequency, in patients with identifiable or occult cancer. There are several hypotheses concerning the pathogenesis of these rare disorders. One hypothesis is that the underlying tumor and portions of the nervous system share antigens and that an autoimmune response generated against the tumor causes the nervous system disorder. Evidence supporting this hypothesis includes the ability to transmit the Lambert-Eaton Syndrome (a paraneoplastic syndrome involving the neuromuscular junction) to experimental animals by infusing IgG from patients with the disorder, the presence of autoantibodies against Purkinje cell neurons in some patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration, and the presence of autoantibodies against many neurons in patients with sensory neuronopathy and encephalomyelitis. Other evidence supporting the hypothesis is presented in this review.
Keywords: review; pathophysiology; monoclonal antibody; immunology; antibodies, monoclonal; diagnostic agent; paraneoplastic syndrome; autoimmune diseases; autoimmune disease; neurologic disease; antiserum; neuromuscular disease; nervous system diseases; neuromuscular diseases; paraneoplastic syndromes; immune sera; humans; human; male; female
Journal Title: Critical Reviews in Neurobiology
Volume: 3
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0892-0915
Publisher: Begell House, Inc  
Date Published: 1987-01-01
Start Page: 245
End Page: 299
Language: English
PUBMED: 3315239
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- Export Date: 5 February 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Jerome B Posner
    211 Posner
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