Cancer Frequency in MuSK Myasthenia Gravis and Histological Evidence of Paraneoplastic Etiology

Ann Neurol. 2024 Nov;96(5):1020-1025. doi: 10.1002/ana.27033. Epub 2024 Jul 15.

Abstract

Cancer frequency in muscle-specific kinase myasthenia gravis (MuSK-MG) has not yet been explored and the mechanisms leading to the formation of MuSK IgG remain elusive. We aimed to explore cancer frequency in MuSK-MG patients and to assess MuSK expression in cancer cells from 2 tumors occurred in this cohort. Immunohistochemistry on tumor specimens revealed the expression of MuSK in the cancer cells from primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma and endometrial carcinoma. Twenty-one males and 73 females were enrolled. Fifteen cancers occurred in 13 of 94 patients (13.8%). Patients with cancer were significantly older at time of MuSK-MG onset. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:1020-1025.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / epidemiology
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / immunology
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / pathology
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases* / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cholinergic* / immunology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • MUSK protein, human
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptors, Cholinergic