Clinical Trial: The Study of Immune Cell (T Cell) Activity in Patients With Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Killer T Cell Activity in the Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes

Brief Summary: The investigators believe that T cells, cells that are a part of the immune system, are what are causing the neurological problems while also attacking tumor cells. This protocol studies the clinical status of patients with paraneoplastic neurological disorder (PND) as well as their blood to understand the relationship between their neurological disease, their cancer, and their immune system.

Detailed Summary: Patients with paraneoplastic neurological disorders (PNDs) provide a unique model for studying tumor immunity and neuronal autoimmunity. We hypothesize that T lymphocyte autoimmune dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of the paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, and that killer T cells are involved in the targeting and successful killing of tumor cells in these cancer patients. Furthermore, we postulate that this activity may provide a model for autoimmune brain disease. We will assess the immune responses in PND patients, correlate these with the clinical data (time course of disease, symptoms and signs, disability), and collect and archive clinical data, serum and cells from PND patients for current and future studies into the basic immune system phenomenon present in PND patients.
Sponsor: Rockefeller University

Current Primary Outcome: Immunologic responses to tumor antigens in vitro [ Time Frame: throughout study ]

Original Primary Outcome:

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Rockefeller University

Dates:
Date Received: May 17, 2006
Date Started: January 1995
Date Completion: December 2020
Last Updated: January 3, 2017
Last Verified: January 2017