Another Myositis-Specific Antibody: Is It Linked to Malignancy?

Patients with an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and the anti-NXP2 autoantibody may have increased risk for an internal malignancy.

Researchers continue to identify myositis-specific antibodies (MSAs) in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM). Identified so far are antibodies to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, the Mi-2 protein, the signal-recognition particle, transcriptional intermediary factor-1, and melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5. A recently recognized MSA known as anti-NXP2 was first described in juvenile patients and subsequently discovered to be directed against the nuclear matrix protein. This autoantibody is associated with juvenile dermatomyositis but may be found in adults with DM and possibly some with PM.

These authors examined adult Japanese patients with DM and PM for presence of NXP2 autoantibodies. Among 445 patients with DM and …

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)