Antisynthetase syndrome

Editor – Fallon et al report a typical case of antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) responsive to prednisolone and mycophenolate.¹

While the association of the related autoimmune connective tissue disorder dermatomyositis with malignancy is well established, a link with the presence of antisynthetase antibodies and malignancy is only just emerging. A recent case series reported the development of malignancy in 8/124 patients.²

Both conditions are routinely treated with potent immunosuppressive therapy which further increases this risk of malignancy.

Readers are reminded to monitor for malignancy in patients with antisynthetase syndrome in the same fashion as they currently do with patients with dermatomyositis particularly when using long term immunosuppressives such as mycophenolate or azathioprine.