Immunological and clinical response to immunosuppressive treatment in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To report the clinical and immunological response to immunosuppressive treatment with cyclophosphamide in two patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.


METHODS
Case reports. Clinical and immunological follow-up data available for 4 1/2 years in the first patient and for 2 years in the second patient.


METHODS
A 1500-bed university hospital and a 1200-bed university teaching hospital.


METHODS
Cyclophosphamide intermittent treatment.


METHODS
Clinical disability.


RESULTS
One of the patients, who was treated from an early stage, recovered completely. The other patient showed a partial clinical response. While the two patients were receiving a maintenance regimen with cyclophosphamide, the conditions of both patients remained stable for at least 2 years. In both patients, intrathecal antibody synthesis declined considerably.


CONCLUSIONS
Early induction of immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide should be tried in treating patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.
Stark
E
E
Department of Neurology Hanover Medical School, Germany.
Wurster
U
U
Patzold
U
U
Sailer
M
M
Haas
J
J
D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000473:pathology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide