title: Circulating Regulatory T-Cells in Monoclonal Gammopathies of Uncertain Significance and Multiple Myeloma: In Search of a Role.
abstract: The frequency and function of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in multiple myeloma (MM) are still matter of debate. The percentage and absolute number of circulating Tregs (CD4(+)CD25(+high  density)CD127(-/low  density)) from 39 patients with untreated MM and 44 patients with monoclonal gammopathies of uncertain significance (MGUS) were tested and compared with 20 healthy subjects as controls. The mean percentage number of circulating Tregs was 2.1%  ± 1.0 (range 0.75-6.1%) in MM patients; 2.1%  ± 0.9 (range 0.3-4.4%) in MGUS; and 1.5%  ± 0.4 (range 0.9-2.1%) in controls (p ns). Mean absolute number of Tregs was 36.3/μL ± 23.7 (range 6.7-149/μL) in MM; 38.8/μL ± 19.1 (range 4.3-87/μL) in MGUS; and 39.4/μL ± 12.5 (range 18-63/μL) in controls (p ns). After a median follow-up of 38 months, 5 MGUS and 2 smoldering MM (SMM) transformed into overt MM; however Tregs number did not predict this evolution. With respect to MM patients and after a median follow-up of 33 months, Tregs did not show any significant correlation with main clinical and laboratory characteristics. Finally, from a functional point of view, Tregs displayed an effective suppressor function, irrespective of disease status. This study indicates that the number of circulating Tregs does not differ in different monoclonal gammopathies and normal subjects and do not correlate with clinical features of MM.
authors: Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, IRCCS Cancer Referral Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: 0000-0002-3807-7287
authors: G
authors: D'Arena
authors: Hematology Unit, IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" Hospital, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Rossi
authors: Hematology Chair, Catholic University of "Sacred Heart", 00168 Rome, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Laurenti
authors: Laboratory of Clinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, IRCCS Cancer Referral Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy.
authors: Teodora
authors: T
authors: Statuto
authors: Laboratory of Clinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, IRCCS Cancer Referral Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy.
authors: Fiorella
authors: F
authors: D'Auria
authors: Laboratory of Clinical Research and Advanced Diagnostics, IRCCS Cancer Referral Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy.
authors: Luciana
authors: L
authors: Valvano
authors: Laboratory of Preclinical and Translational Research, IRCCS Cancer Referral Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy.
authors: Vittorio
authors: V
authors: Simeon
authors: Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors: Aldo
authors: A
authors: Giudice
authors: Hematology Chair, Catholic University of "Sacred Heart", 00168 Rome, Italy.
authors: Idanna
authors: I
authors: Innocenti
authors: Pharmacology Department, University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy.
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: De Feo
authors: Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors: Rosanna
authors: R
authors: Filosa
authors: Scientific Direction, IRCCS Cancer Referral Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy.
authors: Pellegrino
authors: P
authors: Musto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins; C023587:protein M (glycoprotein)