Nonsecretory myeloma: a study on hypoimmunoglobulinemia.
In evaluating hypoimmunoglobulinemia in a patient with nonsecretory myeloma, studies of in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis were performed during a 3-year period. Impaired polyclonal response to mitogen stimulation associated with excessive suppressor activity was demonstrable at diagnosis. Despite successful chemotherapy, serum immunoglobulin levels remained depressed with a persistent impairment in polyclonal immunoglobulin synthesis but without evidence for excessive suppression. In nonsecretory myeloma, as in secretory myeloma, a defective B-cell response to differentiation signals may be a contributory mechanism in the hypoimmunoglobulinemia seen in this disease.
Shustik
C
C
Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada.
Michel
R
R
Karsh
J
J
D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M