Carcinomatous neuromyopathy: 2. Immunological studies. An electrophysiological and immunological study of patients with carcinoma of the lung

Abstract

Significant cellular sensitivity to peripheral nerve antigens was found by macrophage inhibition factor assay in 36% of patients with lung cancer (P < 0.005) as compared with 62% of patients with peripheral neuropathy without neoplasia. No sensitivity was found in controls of the cancer sub group without neuromuscular abnormality. The significance of these findings for an immune mechanism is discussed.