Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are immune-mediated neurological disorders that can affect any part of the nervous system, occur in association with cancer, and are often supported by the presence of specific neuronal autoantibodies.
Neuronal autoantibodies are classified as high-, intermediate-, or low-risk for paraneoplastic aetiology. High-risk antibodies have a >70% cancer association, typically recognise intracellular antigens and are not directly pathogenic. The associated tumour type depends on patient demographics and on the specific neuronal autoantibody identified.
Two naming conventions are used: one based on the index patient’s initials (e.g., Hu), and another based on the immunohistochemical staining pattern (e.g., ANNA = anti-neuronal nuclear antibodies).
Anti-Hu (ANNA-1) antibodies are markers of autoimmune neuronal diseases such as sensory neuronopathy, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, encephalomyelitis and limbic encephalitis. Their association with small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), neuroendocrine tumours and neuroblastoma is ~85%.
For high-risk PNS, autoantibody testing should be performed using at least two independent methods.
Serum, EDTA plasma, heparin plasma, citrate plasma, CSF
Immunoblot
Fasting for at least 8-12 hours before sampling
Refer to the Health Service Charter to check storage conditions
+2/+8°C
This test provides the quantitative determination of total tau protein to support the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
This test provides the quantitative determination of tau protein phosphorylated at threonine 181 (pTau181), to support the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Test for the determination of human autoantibodies against NMDAR to support the diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes with an intermediate-risk phenotype.
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