NAA Associated Lambert-Eaton Muscular Weakness Syndrome
Lambert-Eaton muscular weakness syndrome is a kind of autoimmune disease, showing close associations with natural autoantibodies (NAA). Having committed to the researches of natural autoantibodies and related diseases, Creative Biolabs is focusing on providing the best services and professional expertise for scientific researchers, based on our abundant experience, great technology platform, and professional teams.
What Is Lambert-Eaton Muscular Weakness Syndrome?
Lambert-Eaton muscular weakness syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by proximal muscle weakness. It is a kind of presynaptic disorder of neuromuscular transmission resulting from the abnormal immune system attacks.
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Symptoms and Signs
Patients suffering from LEMS typically present the muscles weakness of proximal arms and legs, accompanying with weakness in facial muscles, dry mouth, weakness of the respiratory muscles, disruption of the autonomic nervous system, even small-cell lung cancer.
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Pathogenesis
The self-immune system or autoantibodies attack voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) on nerve endings, which leads to fewer releases of acetylcholine from the neuromuscular junction. Acetylcholine is the substance that triggers muscle contraction, and insufficient acetylcholine can’t cause normal muscle contractions, leading to muscle weakness.
Diagnosis and Treatment
LEMS diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and signs, electrophysiological studies, and autoantibody testing. Studies find that anti-VGCC antibodies positivity can be detectable in about 85%-90% of LEMS patients and 100% in LEMS patients with small cell lung cancer. Screening for small cell lung cancer or measuring VGCC antibodies in the blood is a very important part of the diagnosis for LEMS.
In general, using chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancers firstly if small cell lung cancer is present, then treatment with immunosuppressive drugs can be applied in more severe cases of LEMS. 3, 4-diaminopyridine is a kind of immunosuppressive drug that targets to VGCCs, which leads to an increased presynaptic influx of Ca2+ and acetylcholine release. The VGCC antibodies targets or anti-VGCC autoantibodies research, particularly the P/Q-type VGCC may provide a new sight for LEMS treatment.
Fig.1 Pathophysiology of Lambert-Eaton muscular weakness syndrome and effects of symptomatic treatment. (Titulaer, 2011)
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Besides Lambert-Eaton muscular weakness syndrome, there are more than 600 neurological diseases affecting people all over the world. As a world-leading service provider, Creative Biolabs has been committed to natural autoantibodies and related diseases for several years. We can provide our clients with a full range of NAA services based on detailed requirements. Please do not hesitate, just feel free to contact us for more detailed information.
Reference:
- Titulaer, M.J.; et al. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: from clinical characteristics to therapeutic strategies. Bmc Biology. Lancet Neurology. 2011, 10(12): 1098-1107.
Choosing natural autoantibody (NAA) microarray to profile autoantibody repertoire and reveal novel disease's marker.
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