Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy associated with breast cancer: a case report

Abstract

Background Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) is an autoimmune inflammatory central nervous system disorder characterized by the detection of autoantibodies that recognize GFAP in CSF. The pathogenesis of GFAP-A is poorly understood. Some patients had a neoplasm detected and GFAP expressed by neoplasms is plausible as immunogen triggering paraneoplastic neurological autoimmunity. Case presentation We report a case of 76-year-old female patient with GFAP-A complicated with breast cancer. She presented with altered consciousness, nuchal rigidity, speech disturbances, and weakness. Her clinical symptoms were improved by immunotherapy and cancer treatments. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the restricted tumor expressed GFAP. The infiltration of CD3 + T cells were observed in the peritumoral and intratumoral areas. The most common infiltrating lymphocytes were CD8 + T cells. CD4 + T cells and CD20 + B cells were also observed in the predominant peritumoral area. Conclusions These results suggest that GFAP-A may occur in a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome associated with breast cancer.

Tissue-specific biological aging predicts progression in prostate cancer and acute myeloid leukemia

“…GFAP is a glial fibrillary acidic protein that is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in glioblastoma ( 69 ) and other cancers ( 70 , 71 ); however, its role in prostate cancer has not been fully explored. One of the bioinformatics investigations nominated GFAP as a potential regulator of immune phenotypes in prostate cancer ( 72 ), yet its role in prostate cancer progression provides a new exciting avenue for further investigation, especially in combination with GADD45B, STAT3, and GFAP (and, potentially, FOXM1).…”

Tau, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein, and Neurofilament Light Chain as Brain Protein Biomarkers in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood for Diagnosis of Neurobiological Diseases

“…A case study reported that a 76-year-old woman with breast cancer was also diagnosed with GFAP astrocytopathy (an autoimmune CNS disorder), which is triggered by anti-GFAP antibodies, likely secondary to breast cancer. Notably, her GFAP astrocytopathy was improved with breast cancer therapy, suggesting a potential paraneoplastic neurological syndrome [ 84 ].…”