Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS): antibodies

P/Q type VGCC antibody

• This is the most important antibody for the diagnosis of LEMS
• It is present in 75-100% of paraneoplastic LEMS
• It is present in >90% of non-paraneoplastic LEMS
• It however has a low specificity with a high false positive rate

N type VGCC antibodies

Anti SOX1 antibody

Anti GRP78 antibody

Acronym

References

1. Mantegazza R, Meisel A, Sieb JP, Le Masson G, Desnuelle C, Essing M. The European LEMS Registry: baseline demographics and treatment approaches. Neurol Ther 2015; 4:105-124. 
2. Lennon VA, Kryzer TJ, Griesmann GE, et al. Calcium-channel antibodies in the Lambert-Eaton syndrome and other paraneoplastic syndromes. N Engl J Med 1995; 332:1467-1474.
3. Martin-Moutot N, de Haro L, Seagar M. Dosage and specificity of anti-calcium channel antibodies in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2004; 160:S28-S34. 
4. Sabater L, Titulaer M, Saiz A, Verschuuren J, Gure AO, Graus F. SOX1 antibodies are makers of paraneoplastic Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Neurology 2008; 70:924-928.
5. Gilhus NE. Lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome; pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy. Autoimmune Dis 2011; 2011:973808.
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