Managing paraneoplastic neurological disorders

Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration Associated with Breast Cancer: A Case Report and a Narrative Review

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) are an uncommon complication of cancer, affecting nearby 1/10,000 subjects with a tumour. PNSs can involve all the central and peripheral nervous systems, the muscular system, and the neuromuscular junction, causing extremely variable symptomatology. The diagnosis of the paraneoplastic disease usually precedes the clinical manifestations of cancer, making an immediate recognition of the pathology crucial to obtain a better prognosis. PNSs are autoimmune diseases caused by the expression of common antigens by the tumour and the nervous system. Specific antibodies can help clinicians diagnose them, but unfortunately, they are not always detectable. Immunosuppressive therapy and the treatment of cancer are the cornerstones of therapy for PNSs. This paper reports a case of PNSs associated with breast tumours and focuses on the most common paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. We report a case of a young female with a clinical syndrome of the occurrence of rigidity in the right lower limb with postural instability with walking supported and diplopia, with a final diagnosis of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration and seronegative rigid human syndrome associated with infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the small intestine diagnosed as a result of paraneoplastic neurological syndrome

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, a diverse group of neurological syndromes, are associated with small cell lung, testicular, ovarian, and breast cancers; however, their association with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the small intestine remains unreported. In this report, we present the case of a 78-year-old man diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the small intestine and experienced symptoms such as subacute progressive numbness of the extremities and impaired gait. These symptoms were diagnosed as tumor-associated neurological syndrome. The patient had also undergone pyloric gastrectomy for early-stage gastric cancer several years prior to the appearance of the neurological symptoms. Therefore, we could not determine whether the tumor-related neurologic syndrome was owing to gastric cancer or neuroendocrine carcinoma of the small intestine; however, one of these conditions was the cause of the neuropathy. The gait disturbance and numbness relatively improved after surgery for the neuroendocrine carcinoma of the small intestine, suggesting that the neuroendocrine carcinoma of the small intestine likely caused the paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. Collectively, we present a unique report highlighting the putative relationship between small bowel neuroendocrine carcinoma and tumor-associated neurologic syndromes.

Paraneoplastic Syndromes from Head to Toe: Pathophysiology, Imaging Features, and Workup

Patients often have symptoms due to the mass effect of a neoplasm on surrounding tissues or the development of distant metastases. However, some patients may present with clinical symptoms that are not attributable to direct tumor invasion. In particular, certain tumors may release substances such as hormones or cytokines or trigger an immune cross-reactivity between malignant and normal body cells, resulting in characteristic clinical features that are broadly referred to as paraneoplastic syndromes (PNSs). Recent advances in medicine have improved the understanding of the pathogenesis of PNSs and enhanced their diagnosis and treatment. It is estimated that 8% of patients with cancer develop a PNS. Diverse organ systems may be involved, most notably the neurologic, musculoskeletal, endocrinologic, dermatologic, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems. Knowledge of various PNSs is necessary, as these syndromes may precede tumor development, complicate the patient's clinical presentation, indicate tumor prognosis, or be mistaken for metastatic spread. Radiologists should be familiar with the clinical presentations of common PNSs and the selection of appropriate imaging examinations. Many of these PNSs have imaging features that can assist with arriving at the correct diagnosis. Therefore, the key radiographic findings associated with these PNSs and the diagnostic pitfalls that can be encountered during imaging are important, as their detection can facilitate early identification of the underlying tumor, reveal early recurrence, and enable monitoring of the patient's response to therapy. ^© RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

A Case of Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome Associated with Breast Cancer Detected while Searching for the Cause of Involuntary Movement

Our case involved a 66-year-old woman who noticed progressive asymmetric involuntary movement, difficulty speaking, and difficulty swallowing. The patient fractured her femur due to a lower extremity involuntary movement while walking. During the course of her treatment for the fracture, her neurological symptoms worsened. Approximately 2 months after becoming aware of her symptoms, she visited our clinic for evaluation of difficulty with unassisted walking and weight loss due to dysphagia. To identify the cause of her neurological symptoms, hematological examination, brain magnetic resonance imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography for cerebral blood flow, electroencephalography, and a somatosensory evoked potential test were conducted. Although the cause of her neurological symptoms could not be determined, computed tomography revealed the presence of breast cancer, which led us to suspect paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS). After breast cancer treatment, her neurological symptoms improved simultaneously. Therefore, the patient was retrospectively diagnosed with PNS. We report a case of PNS whose neurological symptoms followed a subacute course and were relieved after breast cancer treatment.

Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome caused by cystitis glandularis: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS) is an unusual event. PNS caused by cystitis glandularis (CG) or a bladder tumor is extremely rare; hence, missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis can easily occur. To date, approximately 21 cases have been reported in PubMed.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a case of PNS caused by CG and describe the clinical and imaging features. The main clinical feature was advanced cognitive impairment, and early clinical features were memory impairment, decreased computational ability, and abnormal behavior. Later clinical features were dementia, vomiting, inability to eat and walk, urinary incontinence, and hematuria. Imaging features on cranial magnetic resonance imaging were diffuse white matter lesions. Paraneoplastic tumor markers were normal. A total abdominal computed tomography scan showed multiple thickened areas on the bladder wall with local prominence. Cystoscopy revealed a volcanic protuberance on the posterior wall of the bladder with a diameter of 6 cm and no pedicle. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was CG. The patient recovered well following resection of CG. PNS cases caused by previous bladder tumors can be retrieved from PubMed to describe the clinical signs and prognosis of PNS.

CONCLUSION

The main clinical feature of PNS caused by CG was dementia, and the imaging features were diffuse cerebral white matter lesions. Resection of CG lesions is the fundamental treatment for PNS induced by CG. This case highlights the importance of etiological treatment.

Oncologic emergencies and urgencies: A comprehensive review

Patients with advanced cancer generate 4 million visits annually to emergency departments (EDs) and other dedicated, high-acuity oncology urgent care centers. Because of both the increasing complexity of systemic treatments overall and the higher rates of active therapy in the geriatric population, many patients experiencing acute decompensations are frail and acutely ill. This article comprehensively reviews the spectrum of oncologic emergencies and urgencies typically encountered in acute care settings. Presentation, underlying etiology, and up-to-date clinical pathways are discussed. Criteria for either a safe discharge to home or a transition of care to the inpatient oncology hospitalist team are emphasized. This review extends beyond familiar conditions such as febrile neutropenia, hypercalcemia, tumor lysis syndrome, malignant spinal cord compression, mechanical bowel obstruction, and breakthrough pain crises to include a broader spectrum of topics encompassing the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, venous thromboembolism and malignant effusions, as well as chemotherapy-induced mucositis, cardiomyopathy, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Emergent and urgent complications associated with targeted therapeutics, including small molecules, naked and drug-conjugated monoclonal antibodies, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, are summarized. Finally, strategies for facilitating same-day direct admission to hospice from the ED are discussed. This article not only can serve as a point-of-care reference for the ED physician but also can assist outpatient oncologists as well as inpatient hospitalists in coordinating care around the ED visit.

Psychosis as Initial Presentation of Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are a group of symptoms and physical findings that can reflect various neurological conditions, which may uncommonly include acute psychosis. In this report, we present the case of a 62-year-old African American male with a medical history significant for sarcoidosis and adrenal insufficiency who presented with several months of altered mentation and aggressive behavior of unknown etiology. Extensive laboratory workup, including lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid antibodies, did not reveal any significant findings. Imaging studies, including computed tomography of the chest, showed mediastinal adenopathy and densities suggestive of metastatic small cell carcinoma, which was later confirmed following bronchoscopy and lymph node biopsy. A PNS was suspected as the explanation for the patient's psychiatric symptoms. Treatment with steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins was started, but there was no improvement. Surgery and systemic therapy were not recommended, and the family elected to pursue a palliative care option for the remainder of the patient's treatment. Our goal in this report is to provide basic information on PNS and highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of these rare, albeit interesting, presentations.

Paraneoplastic Demyelinating Inflammatory Neuropathy Revealing Metastatic Seminoma: A Case Report

Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS) is uncommon and not well known. PNS can reveal cancer, but its role in seminomas has not been described explicitly. We report the case of a 36-year-old man with unremarkable medical history and no comorbidities who was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal metastatic seminoma. The patient's general condition deteriorated, and he developed progressive neurological palsy without other clinical anomalies. Electromyography revealed demyelinating, non-lengthy neuropathy. Guillain-Barré syndrome was initially suspected. However, a positron emission tomography scan revealed a retroperitoneal mass, and blood markers revealed increased human chorionic gonadotropin. The patient was diagnosed with PNS, and a computed tomography-guided biopsy revealed a metastatic seminoma without a primary tumor. No circulating neural antibodies were detected. Human polyvalent immunoglobulin was simultaneously administered with chemotherapy. After three cycles of a cisplatin-etoposide-bleomycin, a complete biological and metabolic response rate was observed, and his neurological symptoms rapidly improved. Four years later, the patient responded completely, without any neurological complaints. Paraneoplastic demyelinating inflammatory neuropathy can lead to advanced seminoma diagnosis. Prompt management of seminomas with cisplatin-based regimens provides the best chance of cure for both advanced seminoma and paraneoplastic syndrome.

Anti-Yo-Associated Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration: Case Series and Review of Literature

Anti-Yo-associated paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) syndrome is a very rare condition that is most commonly associated with breast and gynecologic cancers. Those cases associated with breast cancer tend to be human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive, though the reason for this correlation is unknown. Most commonly, the neurologic symptoms of the PCD syndrome predate the patient’s cancer diagnosis. Thus, prompt diagnosis of PCD is essential to allow for early treatment of the neurologic symptoms and the underlying malignancy. However, the prognosis is very poor for the anti-Yo-associated paraneoplastic syndrome, since neurologic damage is usually rapid and irreversible. Further progression may be stopped with appropriate treatment of cancer, but existing neurologic deficits at the time of diagnosis are usually permanent. Steroids, plasma exchange, and rituximab are commonly used treatments, though these have had mixed to poor results.

Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration (PCD) associated with PCA-1 antibodies in established cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a rare set of neurological disorders arising from tumor-associated autoimmunity against antigens within the cerebellum. Anti-Purkinje cell cytoplasmic antibody 1 (PCA-1), or anti-Yo, is the most commonly linked antibody and is classically associated with breast and ovarian cancers.

METHODS

Medical records of patients at our institution who developed PCA-1 associated PCD were reviewed. Clinical information, including cancer history, cancer-directed treatment, and serum and CSF titers of PCA-1 antibody were extracted.

CASES

We report a series of cases of PCA-1 associated PCD in patients with known breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis not receiving immunotherapy. These cases highlight aspects of PCA-1 paraneoplastic syndrome such as triggering by cytotoxic chemotherapy or surgery, the possibility of tumor recurrence and the association with development of a second cancer.

DISCUSSION

Diagnosis of the syndrome requires neurological workup with lumbar puncture (LP) with cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) studies, serum and CSF paraneoplastic antibody panel, and neuroimaging. Inpatient admission for prompt workup and initiation of treatment is recommended. Treatment most commonly includes immunosuppression with corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, and/or intravenous immune globulin (IVIG); however, we postulate that other immune modulating treatments may warrant consideration.

CONCLUSION

These cases highlight the need for early recognition of the syndrome in patients receiving nonimmune based chemotherapy, for prompt workup and treatment.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting as an Unusual Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndrome Affecting the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems

A 68-year-old man presented with a two-week history of ascending, symmetric, sensory neuropathy concerning an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy that briefly responded to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy. The initial workup was negative for acquired causes. After three months of poor response to standard therapies, he was hospitalized for severe disability, unintentional weight loss, and additional, unexplained neurologic symptoms including cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria, and muscle twitching. Positron emission tomography revealed hypermetabolism isolated to the bone marrow. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Due to rapidly worsening performance status, plasmapheresis was initiated prior to treatment with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) chemotherapy. His symptoms initially improved following plasmapheresis and resolved with chemotherapy. One year following treatment, he remains in complete remission. This case describes a unique paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome involving the central and peripheral nervous system that responded well to plasmapheresis and systemic chemotherapy.

The use of eye-movement recording in patients with anti-Hu antibody-associated paraneoplastic neurological syndromes to objectively determine extent and course of disease

Background and purpose

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes with Hu‐antibodies (Hu‐PNS) are immune‐mediated disorders in patients with malignancies, most frequently small cell lung cancer, affecting both the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS). In Hu‐PNS, brainstem and cerebellar involvement are common. Here, we assessed whether eye‐movement disturbances can be used for diagnosis and monitoring of CNS involvement in Hu‐PNS.

Methods

Twenty‐nine patients with Hu‐PNS (17 females; mean age, 63.2 years,) and 14 healthy age‐matched controls (seven females; mean age, 60.2 years) were included. Saccadic and smooth pursuit eye movements in response to visual stimuli were recorded with video‐oculography. Eye movements were scored quantitatively (number of correction saccades, saccadic intrusions, and saccades during fixation period) and qualitatively by two eye‐movement experts. In 20 patients, up to three follow‐up measurements were made during subsequent hospital visits with fixed 4‐week intervals. Disease course was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale.

Results

Eye movements were disturbed in 26 of 29 Hu‐PNS patients, with horizontal eye movements being in general more impaired. Moreover, in 12 of the 14 Hu‐PNS patients without clinical CNS involvement, eye movements were disturbed. Changes in eye‐movement control over a period of up to 12 weeks were significantly correlated with the clinical response to treatment (ρ = 0.52, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Hu‐PNS often affects eye‐movement control, also in the absence of CNS signs or symptoms. Eye‐movement recordings in Hu‐PNS patients might be a useful tool to objectively monitor progression and treatment efficacy in Hu‐PNS patients.

Diagnostic Value of Structural and Functional Neuroimaging in Autoimmune Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common nervous system disease, which affects about 70 million people all over the world. In 2017, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) considered immune factors as its independent cause, and the concept of autoimmune epilepsy (AE) was widely accepted. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can effectively improve the prognosis of the disease. However, due to the diversity of clinical manifestations, the expensive cost of autoantibody detection, and the increased prevalence in Western China, the difficulty for clinicians in early diagnosis and treatment has increased. Fortunately, convenient and fast imaging examinations are expected to help even more. The imaging manifestations of AE patients were characteristic, especially the combined application of structural and functional neuroimaging, which improved the diagnostic value of imaging. In this paper, several common autoantibodies associated with AE and their structure and function changes in neuroimaging were reviewed to provide help for neurologists to achieve the goal of precision medicine.

A Shared Diagnostic Stewardship Approach toward Improving Autoimmune Encephalopathy Send-out Testing Utilization

BACKGROUND

For many laboratories, autoimmune encephalopathy (AE) panels are send-out tests. These tests are expensive, and ordering patterns vary greatly. There is also a lack of consensus on which panel to order and poor understanding of the clinical utility of these panels. These challenges were presented to our newly formed, multidisciplinary, diagnostic stewardship committee (DSC). Through this collaboration, we developed an algorithm for ordering AE panels; combining diagnostic criteria with practice guidelines.

METHODS

We analyzed test-ordering patterns in 2018 and calculated a true-positive rate based on clinical presentation and panel interpretation. An evidence-based approach was combined with input from the Department of Neurology to synthesize our algorithm. Efficacy of the algorithm (number of panels ordered, cost, and true positives) was assessed before and after implementation.

RESULTS

In 2018, 77 AE-related panels were ordered, costing $137 510. The true-positive rate was 10%, although ordering multiple, similar panels for the same patient was common. Before implementing the algorithm (January 1-July 31, 2019), 55 panels were ordered, costing $105 120. The total true-positive rate was 3.6%. After implementation, 23 tests were ordered in a 5-month period, totaling $50 220. The true-positive rate was 13%.

CONCLUSION

With the DSC-directed mandate, we developed an algorithm for ordering AE panels. Comparison of pre- and postimplementation data showed a higher true-positive rate, indicating that our algorithm was able to successfully identify the at-risk population for AE disorders. This was met with a 43% decrease in the number of tests ordered, with total cost savings of $25 000 over 5 months.

Paraneoplastic syndromes in small cell lung cancer

Paraneoplastic syndromes can commonly occur due to lung cancer, especially small cell lung cancer. Frequently paraneoplastic syndromes can precede the diagnosis of the neoplasm or present with limited stage disease. However, these syndromes can also occur at the time of recurrence or metastasis of disease. This review focuses on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and current management of the most common paraneoplastic syndromes encountered in patients with small cell lung cancer. Manifestations of paraneoplastic syndromes in small cell lung cancer include endocrine syndromes with secretion of excess hormones, and neurologic syndromes due to the production of antibodies causing an autoimmune condition. Recent advances have allowed for greater understanding of these syndromes and for the development of improved diagnostic as well as therapeutic tools. Awareness of paraneoplastic syndromes in small cell lung cancer can lead to an earlier diagnosis and recognition of both the condition and in some cases the disease potentially improving the overall survival and prognosis for patients. Further research examining effective methods to improve recovery from neurologic deficits in patients with a paraneoplastic neurologic illness is warranted.

The clinical significance of atypical indirect immunofluorescence patterns on primate cerebellum in paraneoplastic antibody screening

Purpose

Screening for paraneoplastic antibodies is often performed by means of indirect immunofluorescence on primate cerebellar slices. However, atypical immunofluorescence patterns, i.e. patterns that are not specifically related to paraneoplastic antibodies, are often reported. The clinical significance of these patterns is not clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the significance and diagnostic value—in terms of a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome or other neurological disease being diagnosed in the patient—of such atypical immunofluorescence screening patterns on primate cerebellum.

Methods

This study is a retrospective single center study including atypical indirect immunofluorescence screening patterns of patients with a negative or absent typing assay for intraneuronal and anti-amphiphysin paraneoplastic antibodies. Patients with a positive typing assay or without final diagnosis were excluded. Included patients were grouped according to (i) reported immunofluorescence pattern and (ii) established diagnosis, after which contingency table analyses were performed to investigate an interrelation between reported pattern and diagnostic group.

Results

In 3.7% of cases, patients with an atypical pattern obtained a final diagnosis of a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. The presence of atypical patterns was more prominent in patients with epilepsy or peripheral neuropathies (p_{Monte Carlo simulation}= 0.026), without, however, adding any diagnostic information.

Conclusions

An atypical indirect immunofluorescence pattern on primate cerebellum in the screening for paraneoplastic antibodies has only very minor relevance with respect to paraneoplastic neurological syndromes or any other neurological disease, recommending clinicians to interpret the results of positive screening assays for such antibodies with care.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13317-019-0116-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Paraneoplastic Diseases of the Central Nervous System

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes are nonmetastatic complications of malignancy secondary to immune-mediated neuronal dysfunction or death. Pathogenesis may occur from cell surface binding of antineuronal antibodies leading to dysfunction of the target protein, or from antibodies binding against intracellular antigens which ultimately leads to cell death. There are several classical neurological paraneoplastic phenotypes including subacute cerebellar degeneration, limbic encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, and dorsal sensory neuropathy. The patient’s clinical presentations may be suggestive to the treating clinician as to the specific underlying paraneoplastic antibody. Specific antibodies often correlate with the specific underlying tumor type, and malignancy screening is essential in all patients with paraneoplastic neurological disease. Prompt initiation of immunotherapy is essential in the treatment of patients with paraneoplastic neurological disease, often more effective in cell surface antibodies in comparison to intracellular antibodies, as is removal of the underlying tumor.

Paraneoplastic Limbic Encephalitis Associated with Anti-CV2/CRMP5 Antibodies Secondary to Thymoma in an Adolescent

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) associated with anti-CV2/CRMP5 antibodies are rare in the literature. Various clinical manifestations can occur including paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE). Thymoma is one of the rare causes that can be associated with this syndrome. It has not been reported in the literature in children or adolescents to the best of our knowledge. We report a case of PLE in a 19-year-old male patient secondary to thymoma that was diagnosed after 5 years of onset. Anti-CV2/CRMP5 antibodies were positive in the serum and became negative after thymectomy. Diagnosis of PNS should be evoked in cases with atypical neurological manifestation and can be confirmed by the presence of onconeuronal antibodies. We report the first pediatric PLE secondary to thymoma associated with anti-CV2/CRMP5 antibodies.

Rare case of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration secondary to high-grade serous carcinoma of tubo-ovarian origin

This case describes a 69-year-old woman, who presented with rapidly progressive cerebellar symptoms and unintentional weight loss. Full neurological assessment excluded space-occupying lesions, vascular accidents and infection. Surprisingly, a chest, abdomen and pelvis CT showed a left hemipelvis mass, which was subsequently biopsied. A high-grade serous carcinoma of tubo-ovarian origin was found, diagnosing paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) secondary to this. The exact mechanism is not known, but is thought to be immune-mediated. In cases of PCD, after cancer treatment, the neurological disability stabilises to a severe level and will unfortunately be lifelong. Our patient continues to make great progress with intensive rehabilitation for her ongoing balance issues. Early recognition of PCD can lead to a prompt diagnosis of the underlying malignancy and hence subsequent management. This can at least limit the extent of the neurological disability of the disease and increase the survival rate from cancer.

Review of paraneoplastic syndromes in children

Paraneoplastic syndromes are defined as clinical syndromes that are not related to direct tumor invasion or compression but are secondary to tumor secretion of functional peptides/hormones or related to immune cross-reactivity with normal host tissue. Paraneoplastic syndromes have a wide range of presentations and can present before the primary malignancy or tumor recurrence is diagnosed. They can mimic non-neoplastic processes, making detection, diagnosis and treatment difficult. However, they can also provide clues to the presence of an underlying malignancy. In this paper, we reviewed a range of paraneoplastic syndromes that can occur in children including: (1) neurologic (opsoclonus-myoclonus, limbic, anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate [NMDA] and anti-Ma2 encephalitis and myasthenia gravis); (2) endocrine (neuroendocrine tumors, hypercalcemia, SIADH [syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion], osteomalacia/rickets and ROHHAD [rapid onset of obesity, hypoventilation, hypothalamic dysfunction and autonomic dysregulation]); and (3) dermatologic/rheumatologic syndromes (hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and paraneoplastic pemphigus). Familiarity with these syndromes can aid in early diagnosis, treatment and imaging optimization.

Vocal cord paralysis as primary and secondary results of malignancy. A prospective descriptive study

Objective

Vocal cord paralysis (VCP) may be caused by a primary malignancy and associated immune cross-reactivity. We aimed to illuminate underlying causes of VCP and to assess if onconeural antibodies occur in association to VCP as an early predictor of cancer.

Methods

A prospective study was performed in patients with newly diagnosed VCP from 2014 to 2016. All patients underwent fiberoptic laryngoscopy, ultrasound of the neck and computed tomography (CT) of the neck and thorax. Patients with idiopathic VCP underwent neurological examination, positron emission tomography/CT, and serum analysis for onconeural antibodies. All patients were offered a one-year clinical follow-up.

Results

In total 53 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Left VCP occurred in 37 (70%), right in 15 (28%), and bilateral in one patient (2%). The cause of VCP was cancer in 27 (51%) patients, of those 15 (56%) had VCP as the primary symptom, including all cases with laryngeal and esophageal cancer. Median time interval between VCP and cancer was 7 days (range 1-30). In 12 (23%) VCP was a secondary symptom. Lung cancer was the most common etiology, 14 of 27 (52%), 12 patients (86%) with non-small cell lung cancer. Idiopathic VCP was diagnosed in 18 (34%) patients, of those nine patients had a neurological examination and were screened for well-known onconeural antibodies, which were not detected. Reactions against Purkinje cell nuclei were seen in three patients, none showed symptoms or signs of cancer at follow-up.

Conclusions

The causes of VCP were described. VCP was frequently the primary symptom, and also occurred as a secondary symptom of cancer. Exclusion of malignancy is important in patients with VCP.

Level of Evidence

1b.

Anti-Ri-associated paraneoplastic neurological syndrome: Initial symptom of breast cancer with HER2 overexpression and treatment by dual HER2 blockade

Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome is associated with anti-Ri antibodies, which are typically present with opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression is present in 15%-25% of breast cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. There are a few reports of paraneoplastic neurological syndrome associated with HER2-positive breast cancer in the literature, of which most are anti-Yo-associated paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. We present herein the case of a female patient with HER2-positive breast cancer who had atypical anti-Ri antibody associated with opsoclonus-myoclonus paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. Following the diagnosis of paraneoplastic syndrome, chemotherapy with dual HER2 blockade and immunomodulating treatment including intravenous immunoglobulin and oral prednisolone were administered. Although the patient was negative for serum anti-Ri antibodies, there was partial clinical improvement and her neurological deficit persisted. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of female patient with HER2-positive breast cancer who had atypical anti-Ri antibody associated with opsoclonus-myoclonus paraneoplastic neurological syndrome and treated with dual HER2 blockade.

Electrophysiological measurements of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the main complications of diabetes mellitus. One of the features of diabetic nerve damage is abnormality of sensory and motor nerve conduction study. An electrophysiological examination can be reproduced and is also a non-invasive approach in the assessment of peripheral nerve function. Population-based and clinical studies have been conducted to validate the sensitivity of these methods. When the diagnosis was based on clinical electrophysiological examination, abnormalities were observed in all patients.

METHOD

In this research, using a review design, we reviewed the issue of clinical electrophysiological examination of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in articles from 2008 to 2017. For this purpose, PubMed, Scopus and Embase databases of journals were used for searching articles.

RESULTS/FINDINGS

The researchers indicated that diabetes (both types) is a very disturbing health issue in the modern world and should be given serious attention. Based on conducted studies, it was demonstrated that there are different procedures for prevention and treatment of diabetes-related health problems such as diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). The first objective quantitative indication of the peripheral neuropathy is abnormality of sensory and motor nerve conduction tests. Electrophysiology is accurate, reliable and sensitive. It can be reproduced and also is a noninvasive approach in the assessment of peripheral nerve function.

CONCLUSION

The methodological review has found that the best method for quantitative indication of the peripheral neuropathy compared with all other methods is clinical electrophysiological examination. For best results, standard protocols such as temperature control and equipment calibration are recommended.

A case of acute paraneoplastic neurological syndrome in BRAF mutant metastatic melanoma

A 58-year-old man with indolent metastatic BRAF mutant melanoma presented with several days' history of progressive ataxia and dysdiadochokinesia. His PET/computed tomography restaging scan indicated two new fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose-avid mesenteric lymph nodes. Meanwhile, his MRI brain and whole spine were within normal limits. A lumbar puncture indicated an elevated protein level with a normal cell count and negative paraneoplastic antibodies. Because of the lack of an alternative differential, the diagnosis of paraneoplastic syndrome was made. He was started on high-dose corticosteroids as well as dabrafenib and trametinib. Despite this, his neurological symptoms continued to progress. Consequently, he was trialed on a course of intravenous immunoglobulin, which stabilized his symptoms. He continued to improve over several weeks, with near-complete resolution of all his neurological symptoms, and showed a complete radiological response of his disease. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of paraneoplastic neurological syndrome with mixed neurology associated with BRAF mutant cutaneous melanoma that responded to BRAF targeted therapy.

Breast cancer-related paraneoplastic neurologic disease

PURPOSE

Paraneoplastic neurologic disease (PND) is an aberrant immune-mediated response against the nervous system triggered by malignancy. Given the rarity, a paucity of data describing breast cancer-related PND (BC-PND) exists; we sought to further examine this specific patient population.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients at our institution from 1997 to 2016 with BC-PND. Retrospective review with a descriptive analysis determined factors associated with PND and BC, which were compared to national breast cancer median of age (61 years) and average stage at diagnosis (60% local disease).

RESULTS

BC-PND was diagnosed in 56 female patients at a median age of 52.8 years. Only 20% of invasive cancer patients had local disease. The majority of patients were hormone receptor positive and Her2 negative. Neurological symptoms presented prior to BC diagnosis in 57.1% of patients. Of all patients, 30 (53.6%) had autoantibodies detected: Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Autoantibody Type-1 (PCA-1[anti-Yo]), n = 10; amphiphysin-IgG, n = 9; Anti-Neuronal Nuclear Autoantibody Type-2 (ANNA-2[anti-Ri]), n = 5; and others, n = 6. The most common neurologic findings were cerebellar ataxia, myelopathy, and myopathy. Immunotherapy benefit was found to be robust (21.6%), mild to moderate (52.9%), absent (17.6%), or indeterminate (7.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

PND symptoms often presented prior to BC diagnosis, with the BC biologic subtype characteristics typical of the general BC population. BC diagnoses were often made at younger ages than that of the general BC population and with later-stage disease. Roughly 75% of patients benefited from immunotherapy. These data provide helpful information to providers treating this population of patients.

Autoimmune Encephalitis: Pathophysiology and Imaging Review of an Overlooked Diagnosis

Autoimmune encephalitis is a relatively new category of immune-mediated disease involving the central nervous system that demonstrates a widely variable spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from the relatively mild or insidious onset of cognitive impairment to more complex forms of encephalopathy with refractory seizure. Due to its diverse clinical features, which can mimic a variety of other pathologic processes, autoimmune encephalitis presents a diagnostic challenge to clinicians. Imaging findings in patients with these disorders can also be quite variable, but recognizing characteristic findings within limbic structures suggestive of autoimmune encephalitis can be a key step in alerting clinicians to the potential diagnosis and ensuring a prompt and appropriate clinical work-up. In this article, we review antibody-mediated encephalitis and its various subtypes with a specific emphasis on the role of neuroimaging in the diagnostic work-up.

Tumors Presenting as Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies

Cranial nerve palsy could be one of the presenting features of underlying benign or malignant tumors of the head and neck. The tumor can involve the cranial nerves by local compression, direct infiltration or by paraneoplastic process. Cranial nerve involvement depends on the anatomical course of the cranial nerve and the site of the tumor. Patients may present with single or multiple cranial nerve palsies. Multiple cranial nerve involvement could be sequential or discrete, unilateral or bilateral, painless or painful. The presentation could be acute, subacute or recurrent. Anatomic localization is the first step in the evaluation of these patients. The lesion could be in the brain stem, meninges, base of skull, extracranial or systemic disease itself. We present 3 cases of underlying neoplasms presenting as cranial nerve palsies: a case of glomus tumor presenting as cochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus and hypoglossal nerve palsies, clivus tumor presenting as abducens nerve palsy, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal and abducens nerve palsies due to paraneoplastic involvement. History and physical examination, imaging, autoantibodies and biopsy if feasible are useful for the diagnosis. Management outcomes depend on the treatment of the underlying tumor.

Whole-Body 18F-FDG PET and 18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients with Suspected Paraneoplastic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of whole-body ¹⁸F-FDG PET or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT for detection of underlying malignancy in patients with clinically suspected neurologic and nonneurologic paraneoplastic syndromes. Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed (Medline), Embase, and Scopus (last updated November 2016) to identify relevant published studies reporting the performance of ¹⁸F-FDG PET or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in patients with suspected paraneoplastic syndrome. Histopathologic confirmation or clinical follow-up was considered as the reference standard. Pooled estimates, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), of sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated. A summary receiver-operating-characteristic curve was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was determined along with the Q* index. Results: Twenty-one studies including a total of 1,293 individual patients suspected of having a paraneoplastic syndrome and who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examinations met our inclusion criteria. There was moderate to high heterogeneity among the included studies. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio of ¹⁸F-FDG PET or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of underlying malignancy were 0.81 (95% CI, 0.76-0.86), 0.88 (95% CI, 0.86-0.90), and 34.03 (95% CI, 18.76-61.72), respectively. The AUC and the Q* index were 0.916 (SE, 0.018) and 0.849, indicating excellent diagnostic accuracy. The diagnostic accuracy was slightly improved after studies with high applicability concerns were excluded (AUC, 0.931; SE, 0.020). In a subgroup analysis, ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT was found to have a significantly higher specificity (0.89 vs. 0.79) than ¹⁸F-FDG PET alone, with no evidence of significant difference in the overall performance (AUC, 0.930 vs. 0.891; 2-tailed P value for difference, 0.31). Conclusion: This meta-analysis of available studies demonstrates that whole-body ¹⁸F-FDG PET or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT has high diagnostic accuracy and moderate to high sensitivity and specificity for detection of underlying malignancy in patients suspected of having a paraneoplastic syndrome.

Paraneoplastic syndrome turned out to be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) are commonly encountered with underlying malignant pathology. Though anti--neuronal antibodies play a major role in the diagnosis of the underlying malignant pathology but at many times it becomes inconclusive. As early detection of the primary cause and its treatment gives the best result in such situations, there arises an early and accurate diagnostic need. We present a 65--year--old patient presenting with rapidly progressive quadriparesis with both distal and proximal involvement. With all routine work--up tests within normal limits, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was done which revealed multiple findings that suggested a diagnosis of lymphoma. In our case, PET/CT proved to be an important modality for finding the underlying malignant pathology in a suspected case of PNS.

Paraneoplastic syndromes revealing ovarian teratoma in young and menopausal women: report of two cases

Paraneoplastic syndromes are a heterogeneous group of clinical and biological manifestations caused by underling neoplasms. They can reveal ovarian teratoma which express neuroendocrine proteins, or contain mature or immature neural tissue inducing an autoimmune response. The etiological investigation is then crucial to early identification of the tumor in order to optimize the prognosis and to limit neurological sequelae. In case of ovarian teratoma, management is essentially based on surgical resection sometimes associated with immunotherapie. We report two new cases of ovarian teratoma revealed by paraneoplastic syndromes in young and menopausal woman.

Paraneoplastic polymyositis presenting as a clinically occult breast cancer

Paraneoplastic syndrome affects less than 1% of cancer patients. Diagnosis of paraneoplastic syndrome with neurological presentation requires screening for an underlying malignancy, including a complete history, physical examination and imaging studies. Treatment often results in symptom stability, rather than improvement. Paraneoplastic polymyositis can precede or instantaneously occur at diagnosis or treatment of a primary tumour, while neurological symptoms can persist even following cancer treatment. We report a rare case of metaplastic breast carcinoma with an unusual presentation of paraneoplastic polymyositis.

Review of the Diagnostic Challenges of Lambert–Eaton Syndrome Revealed Through Three Case Reports

Lambert–Eaton syndrome (LES) is a rare immune-mediated disorder characterized by proximal leg weakness, autonomic symptoms and hypoactive tendon reflexes. The paraneoplastic form is associated with small-cell lung cancer in 50-60% of cases, whereas the remaining cases are found in younger adults with a higher likelihood of coexisting autoimmune disease. The early recognition of LES is crucial for improving clinical outcomes but remains a major challenge. In this review, we analyze the clinical characteristics and diagnostic considerations in treating LES through a series of three case studies, one of which showed definitive response to pyridostigmine and corticosteroid combination therapy, followed by spontaneous remission. Patients were assessed by image-based screening, serological testing and electrophysiological evaluations, which included respiratory and autonomic testing. A better understanding of the common pitfalls in the clinical, serological and neurophysiologic diagnosis of LES through assessment of typical LES dysfunction throughout the nervous system should enable improved recognition and treatment of this syndrome.

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration with anti-Yo antibodies - a review

The ataxic syndrome associated with Anti-Yo antibody, or Purkinje cell cytoplasmic antibody type 1 (PCA1), is the most common variant of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD). The typical presentation involves the subacute development of pancerebellar deficits with a clinical plateau within 6 months. The vast majority of cases have been reported in women with pelvic or breast tumors. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is often normal in the early stages, with cerebellar atrophy seen later. The underlying mechanism is believed to be an immunological reaction to cerebellar degeneration-related protein 2 (CDR2), a protein usually found in the cerebellum that is ectopically produced by tumor cells. Although both B- and T-cell abnormalities are seen, there is debate about the relative importance of the autoantibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the neuronal loss. Cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities, primarily elevated protein, lymphocytic pleocytosis, and oligoclonal bands, are common in the early stages. The low prevalence of this condition has not allowed for large-scale randomized controlled trials. Immunotherapies, such as steroids, intravenous immune globulins, and plasma exchange, have been extensively used in managing this condition, with limited success. Although some reports indicate benefit from antitumor therapies like surgery and chemotherapy, this has not been consistently observed. The prognosis for anti-Yo PCD is almost uniformly poor, with most patients left bedridden. Further studies are required to clarify the pathophysiology and provide evidence-based treatment options.

A case of slowly progressive anti-Yo-associated paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration successfully treated with antitumor and immunotherapy

We report a case of slowly progressive anti-Yo-associated paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) with breast cancer in a 54-year-old woman. The symptoms of limb and truncal ataxia, and dysarthria gradually progressed during the course of 1 year, and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was 2. A mastectomy with sentinel lymph node resection was performed for the breast cancer. No malignant cells were found on histopathological examination of the lymph node. Combination chemotherapy with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (AC) prevented neurologic deterioration. However, subsequent treatment with trastuzumab and paclitaxel did not prevent progression of the symptoms (mRS score 3). Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed atrophy of the cerebellar hemispheres without brain stem atrophy. Anti-Yo antibody was detected in the serum, which led to a diagnosis of anti-Yo-associated PCD. We resected an enlarged axillary lymph node, which was found on computed tomography. The histopathological analysis of the lymph node revealed foreign body granuloma, which suggested an association with necrotic malignant tissue. Following additional tegafur-uracil therapy and two courses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), the cerebellar signs and symptoms gradually improved (mRS score 2). The clinical course shows that PCD can present as a slowly progressive cerebellar symptom. We propose an active treatment for anti-Yo-associated PCD consisting of tumor resection, combined chemotherapy, and IVIg.

Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis: A Review and Neuropsychological Case Study

OBJECTIVE

Anti-N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) Encephalitis is an autoimmune-mediated encephalitis, which may be associated with a tumor, which occurs when antibodies bind central NMDA receptors. Although typically diagnosed in women, approximately 20% of cases have been males. Due to the challenges with identification, imaging, and diverse symptom presentation, this syndrome is often misdiagnosed. Accurate diagnosis may provide an opportunity for introduction of disease-modifying therapies, which may alter disease trajectory. Moreover, neuropsychology has yet to fully clarify the pattern of impairments expected with this disorder.

METHODS

This manuscript reviews a single case study of a 42-year-old male diagnosed with NMDAR encephalitis. Neuropsychological evaluation was completed subsequent to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Ongoing patient complaints, approximately six months post diagnosis, included reduced sustained attention, poor word retrieval, and daily forgetfulness. Adaptive skills were improved following rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Direct testing revealed mildly impaired sustained attention, processing speed, oral word fluency, and executive functioning. All other cognitive domains were within estimated premorbid range, low average to average.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuropsychological deficits were consistent with mild frontal brain dysfunction and continued recovery. This case illustrates the need for medical and psychological practitioners to understand NMDAR encephalitis, its symptom presentation, and related neuropsychological impact; particularly with the potential for misdiagnosis.

Incidence and spectrum of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes: single center study

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are remote effects of cancer. They are much less common, but are nevertheless important because they cause severe neurological morbidity and mortality. The present cases were studied to characterize the clinical features of patients of suspected PNS and to study their association with different types of tumors. In this study conducted from a super speciality teaching institute from South India, forty five (incidence-0.25%) patients were diagnosed with PNS based on the clinical data. They were subdivided into two groups patients with central nervous system (CNS) manifestations and those with neuromuscular manifestations. Immunological markers were assessed in a subset of patients. Majority of them (75.6%) were above 40 years. There was no sex predilection and a chronic presentation was common (42.2%). While more than half had involvement of peripheral nervous system (64.4%), CNS manifestations were present in 16 (35.6%) cases. Immunological markers were present in 10 out of 14 (58.8%) patients. Classic PNS was seen 22 cases (48.9%), while 23 (51.1%) were non classical. Most common tumor was lung cancer followed by myeloma and breast carcinoma. Present study construed that, in patients with neurological syndromes of unknown cause, search should be focused for occult malignancy based on the phenotype and onconeural antibodies, targeting the lung and breast in particular.

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration in a patient with ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

Herein, we report a case of ovarian serous carcinoma with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.

CASE REPORT

A 44-year-old female presented to our hospital with dizziness, slurred speech, and ataxic gait. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was normal. A lumbar puncture revealed a normal cell count in the cerebrospinal fluid, but slightly elevated protein. Her serum cancer antigen -125 level was high (2126.4 U/mL), and abdominal computed tomography disclosed a pelvic mass measuring 11 cm in diameter. Exploratory laparotomy was then performed, and a frozen section of the tumor revealed serous carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

According to the surgical findings and pathological report, The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage IIIC, Grade 3, serous-type ovarian cancer was diagnosed. Due to the abovementioned symptoms and signs, we performed a serial test to document the presence of anti-Yo antibody in this patient.

Standardized test for anti-Tr/DNER in patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration

Objective:

To determine sensitivity and specificity of a standardized recombinant cell-based indirect immunofluorescence assay (RC-IFA) for anti-Tr antibodies in comparison to a reference procedure.

Methods:

Delta/Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor (DNER) was expressed in HEK293 and used as a substrate for RC-IFA. HEK293 control cells expressing CDR2/Yo and CDR2L as well as mock-transfected HEK293 cells were used as controls. Serum samples from 38 patients with anti-Tr antibodies (33 with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration [PCD] and Hodgkin lymphoma), 66 patients with anti-Tr–negative PCD, 53 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma without neurologic symptoms, 40 patients with rheumatic diseases, and 42 healthy blood donors were tested for anti-DNER reactivity in the RC-IFA. In addition, RC-IFA results were compared to those from a commercial tissue-based IFA using monkey cerebellum.

Results:

Using the RC-IFA, anti-DNER was detected in all anti-Tr–positive patients but in none of the controls (sensitivity 100%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 92.8%–100%; specificity 100%, 95% CI 98.7%–100%). In comparison, anti-Tr was not detected in 4 samples with low-titer autoantibodies using the commercial tissue-based assay. Preadsorption of sera with either recombinant full-length DNER or its extracellular domain selectively abolished anti-Tr reactivity.

Conclusion:

Anti-Tr antibodies bind to the extracellular domain of DNER and can be detected by RC-IFA using HEK293 cells expressing the recombinant receptor. The new method performs better than a frequently used commercial tissue-based indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in samples with low-titer antibodies.

Classification of evidence:

This study provides Class II evidence that RC-IFA accurately detects anti-Tr as compared to conventional IFA.

Severe central and peripheral paraneoplastic demyelination associated with tumours of the ovaries

PURPOSE

The aim of the study is to present MRI examinations of the brain and spinal cord, performed in girls with acute severe neurological presentation of paraneoplastic syndrome associated with ovarian teratomas. Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS) is a rare disorder caused by remote effects of malignancy in different organs. The pathogenesis of PNS concerns the autoimmune system and specific antibodies. PNS can be seen as encephalomyelitis, limbic encephalitis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, cerebellar ataxia, brainstem encephalitis, and paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. These symptoms are potentially reversible, if the underlying neoplasm is removed.

METHODS

We presented three girls, aged 13, 17, and 18 years. They were all referred to the hospital because of an acute onset of severe disseminated encephalomyelitis. All MRI exams were performed on a 1.5 T scanner with a routine brain and spinal cord protocol, including TSE T2-WI and FLAIR sequences. In all cases, a contrast agent was injected in the standard dose.

RESULTS

Neurological examination performed at the onset of the disease revealed hemiparesis, seizures, and consciousness disturbances. In one girl, visual field loss was also disclosed. They were all healthy before the onset of the disease. Brain and spinal cord MR imaging revealed multiple hyperintense lesions located supratentorially in the white matter of both hemispheres, in the pons, cerebellum, and spinal cord. Patients were treated with methyloprednisolone IV and IVIG. They all improved but significant sequelae were present. Two of them developed symptoms of acute demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy within 2 months after the onset of encephalomyelitis. At the same time, brain MRI showed progression of the lesions. In two patients, anti-Yo antibodies were present in blood. Extensive examinations revealed bilateral ovarian teratomas in two patients, and left-sided ovarian teratoma in one case. Surgical resection of teratomas resulted in rapid clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

These cases show that in children and adolescents, acute demyelinating disease can be a manifestation of paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. Thus, PNS should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of encephalomyelitis. In female children and adolescents with suspected PNS, it is important to search for ovarian tumours.

Paraneoplastic CDR2 and CDR2L antibodies affect Purkinje cell calcium homeostasis

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is characterized by loss of Purkinje cells (PCs) associated with progressive pancerebellar dysfunction in the presence of onconeural Yo antibodies. These antibodies recognize the cerebellar degeneration-related antigens CDR2 and CDR2L. Response to PCD therapy is disappointing due to limited understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms. Here, we report the pathological role of CDR antibodies on the calcium homeostasis in PCs. We developed an antibody-mediated PCD model based on co-incubation of cerebellar organotypic slice culture with human patient serum or rabbit CDR2 and CDR2L antibodies. The CDR antibody-induced pathology was investigated by high-resolution multiphoton imaging and biochemical analysis. Both human and rabbit CDR antibodies were rapidly internalized by PCs and led to reduced immunoreactivity of calbindin D_28K (CB) and L7/Pcp-2 as well as reduced dendritic arborizations in the remaining PCs. Washout of the CDR antibodies partially recovered CB immunoreactivity, suggesting a transient structural change in CB calcium-binding site. We discovered that CDR2 and CB co-immunoprecipitate. Furthermore, the expression levels of voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.1, protein kinase C gamma and calcium-dependent protease, calpain-2, were increased after CDR antibody internalization. Inhibition of these signaling pathways prevented or attenuated CDR antibody-induced CB and L7/Pcp-2 immunoreactivity loss, morphological changes and increased protein expression. These results signify that CDR antibody internalization causes dysregulation of cell calcium homeostasis. Hence, drugs that modulate these events may represent novel neuroprotective therapies that limit the damaging effects of CDR antibodies and prevent PC neurodegeneration.

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration associated with serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary

We report a case of a 68-year-old woman who presented with symptoms of cerebellar degeneration which initiated a suspicion of underlying malignancy. The patient presented with progressive ataxia and dysarthria and after excluding primary cerebellar pathology, paraneoplastic syndrome was suspected and she was investigated for a malignancy. CT scan of the pelvis showed a left-sided ovarian mass later diagnosed as serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary. She underwent surgery and histology of the mass showed poorly-differentiated serous adenocarcinoma. Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome encompasses several neurological disorders including paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) caused by an immune-mediated mechanism in patients with an underlying malignancy. PCD is a rare condition that occurs in less than 1% of patients with cancer and is associated with specific groups of cancer. It is important to identify PCD due to its association with certain cancers and also to limit the disabilities associated with the syndrome.

Paraneoplastic brainstem encephalitis in a patient with exceptionally long course of a metastasized neuroendocrine rectum neoplasm

Background

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) have frequently been described in patients with lung or breast cancer. However, some reports also described a correlation to carcinoid tumors, probably triggered via the excessive release of hormones.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 40-year-old woman that was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) of the rectum and multiple synchronous liver metastases ten years ago. She initially responded well to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), resulting in prolonged disease stabilization. However, ten years after initial diagnosis the patient developed unspecific neurological symptoms that could not be classified by standard neurological diagnostic work-up. Special laboratory analysis revealed a high titer of anti-Ri (ANNA-2), a well-characterized antibody that is associated with paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes. The patient’s symptoms improved markedly after a 5-day-course of high-dose glucocorticoid therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Ri-positive PNS in a patient with hormone-negative rectal NEN.

Conclusion

PNS can complicate the patient’s clinical course, response to treatment, impact prognosis and even be interpreted as metastatic spread. However, owing to their rarity, the knowledge of these syndromes is very helpful in order to be able to provide evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

A prospective open-label study of sirolimus for the treatment of anti-Hu associated paraneoplastic neurological syndromes

BACKGROUND

Several lines of evidence suggest a T cell-mediated immune response in paraneoplastic neurological syndromes with anti-Hu antibodies (Hu-PNS). In order to investigate whether suppression of T cell-mediated immune responses in Hu-PNS patients improved their neurological outcome, we performed a prospective open-label, single-arm study on sirolimus.

METHODS

Seventeen progressive Hu-PNS patients were treated with sirolimus with an intended treatment duration of 8 weeks. Primary outcome measures were (i) functional improvement, defined as a decrease of one or more points on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and (ii) improvement of neurological impairment, defined as an increase of one or more points on the Edinburgh Functional Impairment Tests (EFIT).

RESULTS

One patient showed improvement on both clinical scales (mRS and EFIT). This patient presented with limbic encephalitis and improved dramatically from an mRS score of 3 to mRS 1. Another patient, with subacute sensory neuronopathy, remained stable at mRS 2 and improved one point on the EFIT scale. The other patients showed no improvement on the primary outcome measures. Median survival was 21 months.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that treatment of Hu-PNS patients with sirolimus may improve or stabilize their functional disabilities and neurological impairments. However, the effects of this T cell-targeted therapy were not better than reported in trials on other immunotherapies for Hu-PNS. Trial Registration https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2008-000793-20/NL.

Paraneoplastic immune-mediated neurological effects of systemic cancers

Cancer patients may develop paraneoplastic neurological conditions associated with autoantibodies directed against neural or neuromuscular tissues. These syndromes are frequently manifested in advance of the cancer presentation by several months or years necessitating a detailed and expensive investigation to search for the presence of a malignancy. In such cases additional assistance may be obtained by the early employment of whole body 18F flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography as a cancer screening imaging procedure for early cancer diagnosis and potential therapy. Effective therapy of the primary cancer consists the best current therapy for a given paraneoplastic syndrome. However, other forms of immune modulation, such as plasma exchange, intravenous gamma globulin, other immune therapies and symptomatic treatment for certain PNS may have additional benefit.