Pseudoscleroderma associated with lung cancer: correlation of collagen type T and connective tissue growth factor gene expression

Pseudoscleroderma as a paraneoplastic syndrome is a rare disease. We report here a patient with lung cancer (undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma) , who developed acrosclerosis, Using in situ hybridization, marked expressi on of alpha 1(I)-collagen and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA w as found in fibroblasts scattered throughout the dermis, However, transform ing growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 expression was not detected. The pattern of CTGF gene expression and collagen synthesis was similar to that in systemic scleroderma. The absence of TGF-beta 1 mRNA could indicate that tumour-der ived factors induce the expression of CTGF.