Lymphocytic lymphoma and systemic lupus erythematosus: their coexistence with antibody to the Sm antigen.
The serologic and clinical features of a 32-year-old women with coexistent systemic lupus erythematosus and lymphoma were studied. A cervical node biopsy specimen demonstrated nodular, poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma; subsequent development of polyarthralgias prompted evaluation for connective-tissue disease, and a high titer of antinuclear antibody was found. Immunochemical studies proved that this antibody was directed to the Sm antigen, a serologic finding highly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus. This antibody has been maintained throughout the course of the patient's disease, characterized by persistent lymphadenopathy, pleuropericarditis, arthritis, hypocomplementemia, hyperglobulinemia, and a slight elevation of titers of anti-DNA antibody. The course of the lymphoproliferative disorder has been consistent with that of an indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In sera from other patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, anti-Sm antibody was not found. These findings emphasize the importance of establishing the antigenic specificity of antinuclear antibodies detected in the sera of patients with neoplasia.
D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000939:Epitopes; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins