Zekeridou, Anastasia

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG‐IgG) testing. Methods We retrospectively identified patients for CSF MOG‐IgG testing from January 1, 1996, to May 1, 2023, at Mayo Clinic and other medical centers that sent CSF MOG‐IgG for testing including: controls, 282; serum MOG‐IgG positive MOG antibody‐associated disease (MOGAD), 74; serum MOG‐IgG negative high‐risk phenotypes, 73; serum false positive MOG‐IgG with alternative diagnoses, 18. A live cell‐based assay assessed CSF MOG‐IgG positivity (IgG‐binding‐index [IBI], ≥2.5) using multiple anti‐human secondary antibodies and end‐titers were calculated if sufficient sample volume. Correlation of CSF MOG‐IgG IBI and titer was assessed. Results The pan‐IgG Fc‐specific secondary was optimal, yielding CSF MOG‐IgG sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 98% (Youden's index 0.88). CSF MOG‐IgG was positive in: 4/282 (1.4%) controls; 66/74 (89%) serum MOG‐IgG positive MOGAD patients; and 9/73 (12%) serum MOG‐IgG negative patients with high‐risk phenotypes. Serum negative but CSF positive MOG‐IgG accounted for 9/83 (11%) MOGAD patients, and all fulfilled 2023 MOGAD diagnostic criteria. Subgroup analysis of serum MOG‐IgG low‐positives revealed CSF MOG‐IgG positivity more in MOGAD (13/16[81%]) than other diseases with false positive serum MOG‐IgG (3/15[20%]) ( p = 0.01). CSF MOG‐IgG IBI and CSF MOG‐IgG titer (both available in 29 samples) were correlated (Spearman's r = 0.64, p < 0.001). Interpretation CSF MOG‐IgG testing has diagnostic utility in patients with a suspicious phenotype but negative serum MOG‐IgG, and those with low positive serum MOG‐IgG results and diagnostic uncertainty. These findings support a role for CSF MOG‐IgG testing in the appropriate clinical setting. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:34–45

AbstractBackground and purposeParaneoplastic neurological autoimmunity is well described with small‐cell lung cancer, but information is limited for other neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs).MethodsAdult patients with histopathologically confirmed non‐pulmonary NENs, neurological autoimmunity within 5 years of NEN diagnosis, and neural antibody testing performed at the Mayo Clinic Neuroimmunology Laboratory (January 2008 to March 2023) were retrospectively identified. Control sera were available from patients with NENs without neurological autoimmunity (116).ResultsThirty‐four patients were identified (median age 68 years, range 31–87). The most common primary tumor sites were pancreas (nine), skin (Merkel cell, eight), small bowel/duodenum (seven), and unknown (seven). Five patients received immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy before symptom onset; symptoms preceded cancer diagnosis in 62.1% of non‐ICI‐treated patients. The most frequent neurological phenotypes (non‐ICI‐treated) were movement disorders (12; cerebellar ataxia in 10), dysautonomia (six), peripheral neuropathy (eight), encephalitis (four), and neuromuscular junction disorders (four). Neural antibodies were detected in 55.9% of patients studied (most common specificities: P/Q‐type voltage‐gated calcium channel [seven], muscle‐type acetylcholine receptor [three], anti‐neuronal nuclear antibody type 1 [three], and neuronal intermediate filaments [two]), but in only 6.9% of controls. Amongst patients receiving cancer or immunosuppressive therapy, 51.6% had partial or complete recovery. Outcomes were unfavorable in 48.3% (non‐ICI‐treated) and neural autoantibody positivity was associated with poor neurological outcome.DiscussionNeurological autoimmunity associated with non‐pulmonary NENs is often multifocal and can be treatment responsive, underscoring the importance of rapid recognition and early treatment.

ObjectiveCo‐occurring anti‐tripartite motif‐containing protein 9 and 67 autoantibodies (TRIM9/67‐IgG) have been reported in only a very few cases of paraneoplastic cerebellar syndrome. The value of these biomarkers and the most sensitive methods of TRIM9/67‐IgG detection are not known.MethodsWe performed a retrospective, multicenter study to evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of candidate TRIM9/67‐IgG cases by tissue‐based immunofluorescence, peptide phage display immunoprecipitation sequencing, overexpression cell‐based assay (CBA), and immunoblot. Cases in which TRIM9/67‐IgG was detected by at least 2 assays were considered TRIM9/67‐IgG positive.ResultsAmong these cases (n = 13), CBA was the most sensitive (100%) and revealed that all cases had TRIM9 and TRIM67 autoantibodies. Of TRIM9/67‐IgG cases with available clinical history, a subacute cerebellar syndrome was the most common presentation (n = 7/10), followed by encephalitis (n = 3/10). Of these 10 patients, 70% had comorbid cancer (7/10), 85% of whom (n = 6/7) had confirmed metastatic disease. All evaluable cancer biopsies expressed TRIM9 protein (n = 5/5), whose expression was elevated in the cancerous regions of the tissue in 4 of 5 cases.InterpretationTRIM9/67‐IgG is a rare but likely high‐risk paraneoplastic biomarker for which CBA appears to be the most sensitive diagnostic assay. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:1086–1101

Autoimmune movement disorders are increasingly recognized, but isolated tremor is extremely rare. We describe a 70‐year‐old male with rapidly progressive, severe postural and intention tremor and weight loss. His cerebrospinal fluid was inflammatory and harbored a neural tissue‐restricted antibody. The autoantigen was identified by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry and confirmed by antigen‐specific assays to be specific for tenascin‐R. He was investigated for cancer and diagnosed with follicular lymphoma that expressed tenascin‐R suggesting a paraneoplastic origin; cancer treatment and immunotherapy led to complete recovery. With this individualized patient approach and antibody discovery, we expand the spectrum of antibodies accompanying autoimmune hyperkinetic movement disorders. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:502–507

AbstractBackgroundStiff person spectrum disorder (SPSD) is heterogeneous, and accurate diagnosis can be challenging.MethodsPatients referred for diagnosis/suspicion of SPSD at the Mayo Autoimmune Neurology Clinic from July 01, 2016, to June 30, 2021, were retrospectively identified. SPSD diagnosis was defined as clinical SPSD manifestations confirmed by an autoimmune neurologist and seropositivity for high‐titer GAD65‐IgG (>20.0 nmol/L), glycine‐receptor‐IgG or amphiphysin‐IgG, and/or confirmatory electrodiagnostic studies (essential if seronegative). Clinical presentation, examination, and ancillary testing were compared to differentiate SPSD from non‐SPSD.ResultsOf 173 cases, 48 (28%) were diagnosed with SPSD and 125 (72%) with non‐SPSD. Most SPSD were seropositive (41/48: GAD65‐IgG 28/41, glycine‐receptor‐IgG 12/41, amphiphysin‐IgG 2/41). Pain syndromes or functional neurologic disorder were the most common non‐SPSD diagnoses (81/125, 65%). SPSD patients more commonly reported exaggerated startle (81% vs. 56%, p = 0.02), unexplained falls (76% vs. 46%, p = 0.001), and other associated autoimmunity (50% vs. 27%, p = 0.005). SPSD more often had hypertonia (60% vs. 24%, p < 0.001), hyperreflexia (71% vs. 43%, p = 0.001), and lumbar hyperlordosis (67% vs. 9%, p < 0.001) and less likely functional neurologic signs (6% vs. 33%, p = 0.001). SPSD patients more frequently had electrodiagnostic abnormalities (74% vs. 17%, p < 0.001), and at least moderate symptomatic improvement with benzodiazepines (51% vs. 16%, p < 0.001) or immunotherapy (45% vs. 13% p < 0.001). Only 4/78 non‐SPSD patients who received immunotherapy had alternative neurologic autoimmunity.InterpretationMisdiagnosis was threefold more common than confirmed SPSD. Functional or non‐neurologic disorders accounted for most misdiagnoses. Clinical and ancillary testing factors can reduce misdiagnosis and exposure to unnecessary treatments. SPSD diagnostic criteria are suggested.

Abstract Background and purpose Outcome and rechallenge data on central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity triggered by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are limited. We aim to describe a large series of patients with ICI‐triggered CNS autoimmunity, and to compare these patients with spontaneous paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS). Methods We retrospectively reviewed Mayo Clinic patients with ICI‐triggered CNS autoimmunity (February 2015–June 2021). Clinical characteristics were compared to spontaneous PNS patients (with antineuronal nuclear antibody [ANNA]‐1 or anti‐Hu neurological autoimmunity, and/or neuroendocrine tumors [NET]) evaluated within the same period. Results Thirty‐one patients were included (55% female, median age = 63 years, range = 39–76). Median time from ICI initiation was 3.65 months (range = 0.8–44.5). The most common associated malignancies were melanoma and small cell lung cancer. CNS manifestations included encephalitis ( n = 16), meningoencephalitis ( n = 8), cerebellar ataxia ( n = 4), demyelinating syndrome ( n = 2), and myelopathy ( n = 1). Magnetic resonance imaging was abnormal in 62%. Cerebrospinal fluid was inflammatory in 70%. Neural autoantibodies were identified in 47%, more frequently in patients with NET ( p = 0.046). ICI was discontinued in 97%; 90% received immunosuppressive treatment. After median 6.8 months follow‐up (range = 0.7–46), 39% had unfavorable outcomes (grade ≥ 3). This was associated with higher severity degree at onset, shorter period from ICI to neurological symptom onset, and encephalitis. Four patients were rechallenged with ICI, and one relapsed. Patients with NET and with ANNA‐1 ICI‐triggered CNS autoimmunity had associated peripheral nervous system manifestations more frequently than their spontaneous counterparts ( p = 0.007 and p = 0.028, respectively). Conclusions One third of ICI‐related CNS autoimmunity patients have unfavorable outcomes. Relapses may occur after ICI rechallenge. Neural autoantibodies are often present, more commonly in patients with NET.

The antigen specificity of Anti‐Neuronal Nuclear Antibody‐type 3 (ANNA3)‐IgG is unknown. We identified Dachshund‐homolog 1 (DACH1) as the ANNA3 autoantigen and confirmed it by antigen‐specific assays, immunohistochemical colocalization and immune absorption experiments. Patients' median age was 63.5 years (range, 49–88); 67% were female. Neurological manifestations (information available for 30 patients) included one or more of neuropathy, 12; cognitive difficulties, 11; ataxia, 8; dysautonomia, 7. Evidence of a neoplasm was present in 27 of 30 (90%), most of neuroendocrine lineage. DACH1‐IgG is rare and represents a novel proposed biomarker of neurological autoimmunity and cancer. ANN NEUROL 2022;91:670–675

Paraneoplastic neurological autoimmunity is often associated with small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC), a highly malignant neuroendocrine tumor. Paraneoplastic autoimmunity often correlates with longer survival. We describe the paraneoplastic neurological manifestations of patients with SCLC with and without SCLC‐predictive autoantibodies and the correlation between autoimmunity and survival. We reviewed the records of 116 patients (51% male) from the Mayo Clinic with histopathologically confirmed SCLC for whom stored serum was available for neural autoantibody testing. Cancer was limited stage in 41%; the median age at diagnosis was 64 years. Paraneoplastic neurological manifestations were recorded in 61% (decreasing frequency: peripheral neuropathy, dysautonomia, cognitive decline, cerebellar ataxia, neuromuscular junction disorder, seizures, cranial neuropathy, movement disorder, brainstem disorder, or myelopathy). Neural autoantibodies, some with pathogenic potential, were detected in the sera of SCLC patients with and without neurological autoimmunity. The most frequent among patients with neurological manifestations were: anti‐neuronal nuclear antibody‐type 1, voltage‐gated calcium channel (VGCC)‐N‐type, VGCC‐P/Q‐type, glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), SOX1, and muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR); while the most common in patients without neurological manifestations were: GAD65, muscle‐AChR, and VGCC‐P/Q‐type. Neither cancer stage at diagnosis nor survival correlated with neurological manifestations or autoantibody‐positivity, except for shorter survival in patients with myelopathy. The only predictor of longer survival was limited‐stage disease at diagnosis.