title: [A case of refractory multiple myeloma demonstrating a relationship between the progression of the disease and in vitro myeloma cells activity].
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwato
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asaoku
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimura
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuramoto
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D009194:Myeloma Proteins