title: Immunocytochemical characteristics of small cell lung carcinoma associated with the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.
abstract: The Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is characterized by the presence of IgG antibodies to motor nerve terminals, and associates with small cell lung carcinoma in more than 60% of cases. We have carried out a comparative immunocytochemical study on small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) in five LEMS cases and six non-LEMS cases, using antibodies to tumor markers, MHC Class I and II, macrophages and lymphocytes. The authors found a reduced expression of the 200Kd neurofilament antigen and of MHC Class I antigens in the LEMS cases as well as a greater infiltration of activated macrophages. It is suggested that these findings are consistent with the view that SCLC antigenic determinants trigger the autoantibody response in SCLC-LEMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropathology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Esiri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newsom-Davis
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015624:Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm