DPPX antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalitis：the first case with breast cancer and review of the literature

Yijie Dai; Yang Zheng; Jiahui Zhu; Jiao Ding; Kefan Qiu; Bo Tang

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27413

DPPX antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalitis：the first case with breast cancer and review of the literature

Heliyon. 2024 Feb 29;10(5):e27413. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27413. eCollection 2024 Mar 15.

Authors

Yijie Dai¹, Yang Zheng², Jiahui Zhu³, Jiao Ding⁴, Kefan Qiu¹, Bo Tang³

Affiliations

¹ Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China.
² The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China.
³ Hangzhou First People's Hospital, China.
⁴ Third People's Hospital of Hangzhou, China.

Abstract

Dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein 6 (DPPX) antibody-mediated encephalitis is a rare type of autoimmune encephalitis (AE), which mainly manifests as diarrhea accompanied by weight loss, cognitive decline, epileptic seizures, and even psychiatric symptoms. Remarkably, it is also reported to be associated with tumors, predominantly B-cell lymphoma. Overall, the AE remains uncharacterized clinically and its long-term prognosis remains elusive. Herein, we report the first case of DPPX antibody-mediated AE secondary to breast cancer. Importantly, it substantially improves after aggressive immunotherapy. Our case highlights DPPX antibody-mediated AE as a paraneoplastic syndrome and discusses the pearls in its diagnosis and management.

Keywords: Autoimmune encephalitis; Breast cancer; Consciousness disorder; Dipeptidyl-peptidase–like protein 6; Seizures.

Publication types

Case Reports