title: Multiple myeloma patients in long-term complete response after autologous stem cell transplantation express a particular immune signature with potential prognostic implication.
abstract: The proportion of multiple myeloma patients in long-term complete response (LTCR-MM) for more than 6 years after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is small. To evaluate whether this LTCR is associated with a particular immune signature, peripheral blood samples from 13 LTCR-MM after ASCT and healthy blood donors (HBD) were analysed. Subpopulations of T-cells (naïve, effector, central memory and regulatory), B-cells (naïve, marginal zone-like, class-switched memory, transitional and plasmablasts) and NK-cells expressing inhibitory and activating receptors were quantified by multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC). Heavy/light chains (HLC) were quantified by nephelometry. The percentage of CD4+T-cells was lower in patients, whereas an increment in the percentage of CD4+and CD8+effector memory T-cells was associated with the LTCR. Regulatory T-cells and NK-cells were similar in both groups but a particular redistribution of inhibitory and activating receptors in NK-cells were found in patients. Regarding B-cells, an increase in naïve cells and a corresponding reduction in marginal zone-like and class-switched memory B-cells was observed. The HLC values were normal. Our results suggest that LTCR-MM patients express a particular immune signature, which probably reflects a 'high quality' immune reconstitution that could exert a competent anti-tumor immunological surveillance along with a recovery of the humoral immunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, University Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arteche-López
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, University Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kreutzman
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, University Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alegre
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, University Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sanz Martín
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, University Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aguado
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, University Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González-Pardo
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Espiño
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Villar
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, University Hospital La Zarzuela, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: García Belmonte
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, University Hospital La Zarzuela, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de la Cámara
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, University Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Calleja
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D064592:Autografts; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis