Relationship between smooth muscle and cytoskeleton antibodies in neuroblastoma.

The previously reported high prevalence of smooth muscle antibodies in neuroblastoma has been found to be associated with a similarly elevated prevalence of anti-cytoskeleton antibodies. The most relevant finding is related to anti-microfilaments (anti-actin) and anti-microtubules antibodies, which were detected with highly significantly different prevalences when compared with a disease control group (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.000001, respectively). The correspondence between smooth muscle antibodies and anti-cytoskeleton antibodies is incomplete, and it is more relevant for anti-microfilaments. It is concluded that antigen specificities of smooth muscle antibodies in neuroblastoma are as complex as documented in other diseases. Possible pathogenetic and clinical implications emerging from these data are discussed.