Presence of anti-transcriptional intermediary factor-1 gamma antibodies in a dermatomyositis patient with retroperitoneal cancer of unknown primary site

Abstract

A 71-year-old woman with dermatomyositis (DM) received glucocorticoid steroid (GCS) and tacrolimus treatment. Relapse of skin symptoms was observed after tapering the GCS dose, and the patient tested positive for anti-transcriptional intermediary factor-1 gamma (TIF1-γ) antibody. Examinations for malignancy were repeatedly performed. However, no obvious findings indicative of a tumour were observed. Two years after, a retroperitoneal tumour was detected and pathologically diagnosed as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient developed intestinal and biliary obstruction and eventually died of sepsis. Herein, we report the presence of anti-TIF1-γ antibodies in a DM patient with cancer of unknown primary site.

Keywords:

• Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy
• dermatomyositis
• anti-TIF1-γ antibody
• cancer of unknown primary site
• retroperitoneal tumour

Patient consent

We obtained the consent of publishing the case report from the patient. Patient has passed away and we have obtained written consent from the patient’s son for publication.

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

None.