There are a number of mechanisms that may explain a paraneoplastic syndrome. Understanding the cause can help select an appropriate therapeutic response.
Potential mechanisms for a paraneoplastic syndrome includes:
(1) autoantibody
(2) cell-mediated immunity with a lymphocytic infiltrate
(3) release of cytokines (from cells associated with cell mediated immunity)
(4) production of a hormone
(5) production of a peptide that mimics a hormone
(6) production of a growth factor
(7) excessive release of another type of functional protein
(8) hyperviscosity
(9) hyperuricemia or other tumor breakdown products
(10) release of thromboplastin-like material
(11) deficiency in a normal cell product (hypogammaglobulinemia, hormone deficiency)
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