The absence of CD56 on malignant plasma cells in the cerebrospinal fluid is the hallmark of multiple myeloma involving central nervous system.
By immunohistochemistry, the CD56-positive myeloma cells were detected in three (38%) bone marrow (BM) and one (13%) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from eight patients with multiple myeloma involving the central nervous system (CNS MM). Of the three patients with CD56-positive BM myeloma cells, two had CSF myeloma cells negative for CD56. In a control cohort of 84 MM patients without CNS involvement, the BM myeloma cells were CD56-positive in 68 (80%) cases (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of CD56-negative myeloma cells in the BM and CSF of our patients suggests that CD56 downregulation may play a role in the pathogenesis of CNS MM.
Chang
Hong
H
Department of Laboratory Haematology, Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network, University of Toronto, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada. hong.chang@uhn.on.ca
Bartlett
Eric S
ES
Patterson
Bruce
B
Chen
Chris I
CI
Yi
Qi Long
QL
D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D019002:CD56 Antigen