Significance of oligoclonal bands after stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma cases.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the characteristics of oligoclonal bands that are frequently detected by serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) after stem cell transplantation.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 56 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) undergoing transplantation, and standard immunofixation electrophoresis was used to identify and quantify paraproteins.


RESULTS
The median follow-up was 35 months (range, 10-76 months) and 21 patients relapsed. Twelve (25.0%) demonstrated oligoclonal bands after a median time 1.4 months (range, 1-3 months), with a median duration of 5.8 months (range, 1-15 months). The majority patients with oligoclonal bands had normal quantities of immunoglobulins and the one year event free survival (EFS) was 92%, even higher than for patients without OBs (P=0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Oligoclonal bands frequent develop post-transplantation in MM cases. In the vast majority of patients, they may not represent relapsed disease, and more likely represent a transient phenomenon representing recovery of impaired immunoglobulin production.
Department of Hematology, Chao Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Ai-Jun
AJ
Liu
Hong
H
Zong
Guang-Zhong
GZ
Yang
Yu-Hua
YH
Zhai
Li-Hong
LH
Li
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D060828:Induction Chemotherapy; D060046:Maintenance Chemotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000628:therapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood*; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands / Q000097:blood*; D010266:Paraproteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands; D010266:Paraproteins