Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

PURPOSE: Hu antibodies previously have been associated with longer survival of patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibodies play a pathogenic role in Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome, which is also associated with SCLC. These antibodies may reduce tumor growth in patients with the neurologic disease, but it is not clear whether they provide prognostic information in those without neurologic symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients with SCLC (age 39 to 79 years; mean, 62.3 years; 129 males and 71 females) receiving chemotherapy were studied for the presence of Hu and VGCC antibodies. Sera were examined for Hu antibodies by an in vitro transcription-translation-based immunoprecipitation technique and by immunohistochemistry/dot blot. VGCC (P/Q subtype) antibodies were detected by radioimmunoassay. Survival analysis was used to analyze the data. Results Hu antibodies were detected in 51 of 200 patients (25.5%) by in vitro transcription-translation-based immunoprecipitation and in 37 of 200 patients (18.5%) by immunohistochemistry or dot blot, whereas VGCC antibodies were detected in only 10 of 200 patients (5%). The presence of Hu antibodies did not correlate with VGCC antibodies, and there was no association between Hu or VGCC antibodies and the extent of disease or survival. CONCLUSION: Hu and VGCC antibodies are found in a proportion of SCLC patients, irrespective of neurologic symptoms, but their presence does not correlate with the prognosis of the SCLC.

Original publication

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2004.01.028

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Clin Oncol

Publication Date

01/03/2004

Volume

22

Pages

795 - 800

Keywords

Adult, Aged, Analysis of Variance, Antibodies, Neoplasm, Biomarkers, Calcium Channels, N-Type, Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, Cohort Studies, Female, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect, Humans, Ion Channel Gating, Lung Neoplasms, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasm Staging, Prognosis, Prospective Studies, Radioimmunoassay, Sensitivity and Specificity, Statistics, Nonparametric, Survival Rate