[A case of refractory multiple myeloma demonstrating a relationship between the progression of the disease and in vitro myeloma cells activity].
In vitro proliferation (3H-TdR-uptake) and M-protein secretion rate by highly purified myeloma cells from bone marrow aspirates were examined serially to evaluate the progression of multiple myeloma in a patient who was refractory to conventional alkylating agents. Following the administration of IFN-alpha, serum M-protein decreased significantly, with the reduced in vitro spontaneous M-protein secretion rate from the separated myeloma cells. Similarly, when IFN-alpha as low as 10 u/ml was added in vitro, it also suppressed M-protein secretion from myeloma cells of this patient, suggesting that, the observed decrease of serum M-protein was due to diminished M-protein secretion by the myeloma cells themselves, as well as the reduction of the tumor cell burden. On the other hand the in vitro 3H-TdR uptake by the myeloma cells increased markedly with the decrease in the M-protein secretion rate. Five months after the initiation of IFN-alpha treatment, tumor formation at the lumbar vertebrae occurred when serum M-protein level was still low, followed by a bone marrow relapse. These results suggest that serial assessments of proliferation and M-protein secretion potential of myeloma cells in vitro can be helpful in predicting the progression of multiple myeloma.
Iwato
K
K
Asaoku
H
H
Tanabe
O
O
Tanaka
H
H
Kawano
M
M
Fujimura
K
K
Kuramoto
A
A
D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009194:Myeloma Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D009194:Myeloma Proteins