Neuronal Antibodies

Specimen

Serum

Special Instructions

Minimum sample volume: 3 ml

Test Usage

Paraneoplastic disorders are characterised by the presence of neuronal autoantibodies in patient serum. The detection of these autoantibodies is useful for the clinician, as it suggests the presence of an underlying tumour. Tumours that have been known to initiate paraneoplastic disorders include small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), thymoma, neuroblastoma, and breast, ovarian, and testicular cancers. The following autoantibodies are found in paraneoplastic syndromes:

• Anti-Hu
  Type I anti-neuronal nuclear antibody (ANNA-1) is associated with SCLC, resulting in paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis.
• Anti-Ri
  Type II anti-neuronal nuclear antibody (ANNA-2) is associated with neuroblastoma (children) and fallopian or breast cancer (adults), resulting in paraneoplastic opsoclonus myoclonus ataxia (POMA).
• Anti-Yo
  Anti-Purkinje cell antibody is associated with gynaecological tumours and breast cancer, resulting in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.
• Anti-Tr
  Anti-purkinje cell antibody is associated with Hodgkin’s disease, resulting in cerebellar degeneration.
• Anti-Ma (Ma1)
  Anti-neuronal antibody is not associated with any specific tumour, and can lead to limbic or brain stem encephalomyelitis.
• Anti-Ta (Ma2)
  Anti-neuronal antibody is associated with testicular tumours, and can lead to limbic or brain stem encephalomyelitis.
• Amphiphysin
  Associated with tumours of the breast or SCLC leading to opsoclonus, ataxia
• RMP/CV2
  Associated with various tumours, including thymoma, leading to variety of clinical presentations.

Turnaround time

Monthly

Availability

Referred Test

Assayed By

This investigation is performed at the Immunology Department, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LJ