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Dermatomyositis associated with lymphoproliferative disorder of NK cells and occult small cell lung carcinoma

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Abstract

We report a case of dermatomyositis that was associated with a marked expansion of circulating NK cells (CD3-CD16+) with homogeneous phenotype (CD56- CD94- CD159a- CD244+) which satisfied the updated diagnostic criteria for the lymphoproliferative disorder of granular lymphocytes/NK cells. Immunosuppressive treatment induced remission of the dermatomyositis and decreased the number of circulating NK cells. However, a small cell lung carcinoma, that was occult at the time of the presentation of dermatomyositis, was diagnosed 10 months thereafter.

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Abbreviations

DM:

Dermatomyositis

PSA:

Prostate-specific antigen

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Acknowledgements

Monoclonal antibodies against KIR, KAR and NCR were kindly donated by Professor A. Moretta (Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia Generale, University of Genoa).

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Correspondence to Paolo Airò.

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Antonioli, C.M., Airò, P. Dermatomyositis associated with lymphoproliferative disorder of NK cells and occult small cell lung carcinoma. Clin Rheumatol 23, 239–241 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-003-0814-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-003-0814-2

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