Monoclonal gammopathy as a model for B-cell differentiation: from "paraprotein" to artificial antibodies.
During the past fifty years new biochemical and cell biological techniques have been introduced in clinico-pathological practice. Studies on the bone-marrow related malignancy multiple myeloma (MM) proved particularly rewarding for the elucidation of basic concepts in immunology. In fact, by studying the characteristic monoclonal serum components, hallmarking this disease, the basic structure of immunoglobulins and their various types could be described. Two examples of the impact of using MM as a model system in studies on immunological differentiation will be presented: the involvement of precursor cells and the homing of malignant plasma cells in MM. Conversely, two examples of the growing impact of immunology on the clinical handling of MM will be given: new differential diagnostic procedures as well as novel developments in immunotherapy of MM.
Bast
E J
EJ
Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van Camp
B
B
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008954:Models, Biological; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal