title: Positive correlation between bone marrow mast cell density and ISS prognostic index in patients with multiple myeloma.
abstract: We evaluated mast cell density (MCD) in myeloma bone marrow biopsies and correlated it with stage of disease and markers of angiogenesis. Fifty-three untreated myeloma patients and 28 of them responded to therapy were studied. Mast cells were highlighted using immunohistochemical stain for tryptase. Angiogenesis was evaluated measuring microvascular density and serum levels of basic-fibroblast growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. MCD was higher in untreated patients, compared to healthy population and responders. Significant association was found between MCD with angiogenesis and clinical stage of disease, suggesting that mast cells could be used as target for myeloma treatment.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pappa
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsirakis
authors.forename: Parascevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roussou
authors.forename: Athina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xekalou
authors.forename: Nectaria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goulidaki
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Konsolas
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Alexandrakis
authors.forename: Efstathios N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Stathopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: Angiogenesis; Bone marrow; Cytokines; Mast cells; Multiple myeloma; Tryptase