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Post-treatment improvement of NK cell numbers predicts better survival in myeloma patients treated with thalidomide-based regimens

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Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease characterized by antitumoral immune dysfunction. The objective of the present study was to determine lymphocyte subsets (B, T, NK, NKT, iNKT, dendritic cells, and regulatory T cells) in 68 newly diagnosed patients and 113 healthy donors. Lymphocyte subsets were studied in the same patients 6 months after treatment. Pre-treatment values of CD4+ T cells, NK cells, type 2 dendritic cells, and B cells in MM patients were lower than in healthy donors. Forty patients (59%) received MPT treatment and 28 (41%) thal–dex. Patients with no response to treatment, exhibited a decrease in CD4+ T cells and NK cells, as well as an increase in Treg cell numbers. Median DFS and OS was lower in patients not achieving response, in patients having low numbers of NK cells, and higher values of LDH. The number of CD4 T cells, NK, DC2, and B cells at diagnosis is lower in patients with MM. Non-responder patients had lower CD4 and NK, but higher Treg cell values. Patients in which response is not achieved, and those holding lower values of NK cells and higher levels of LDH, have poor DFS and OS.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hematology Department, UMAE Especialidades Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Seris y Zaachila S/N Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, 02990, Mexico City, Mexico

    Jorge Vela-Ojeda, Miriam America García-Ruiz Esparza, Jaime García-Chavez, Laura Arcelia Montiel-Cervantes, Alvaro Hernandez-Caballero & Maria Guadalupe Rodríguez-González

  2. Unidad de Investigación de Medicina Traslacional en Enfermedades Hemato-Oncologicas, UMAE Especialidades Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico

    Jorge Vela-Ojeda, Jaime García-Chavez & Laura Arcelia Montiel-Cervantes

  3. Unidad de Investigación Medica en Trombosis, Hemostasia y Aterogenesis Hospital Carlos Mc Gregor, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico

    Abraham Majluf-Cruz

  4. Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico

    Jorge Vela-Ojeda, Laura Arcelia Montiel-Cervantes & Elba Reyes-Maldonado

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  1. Jorge Vela-Ojeda
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  2. Miriam America García-Ruiz Esparza
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  3. Abraham Majluf-Cruz
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  4. Jaime García-Chavez
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  6. Elba Reyes-Maldonado
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  7. Alvaro Hernandez-Caballero
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  8. Maria Guadalupe Rodríguez-González
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Correspondence to Jorge Vela-Ojeda.

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Vela-Ojeda, J., Esparza, M.A.GR., Majluf-Cruz, A. et al. Post-treatment improvement of NK cell numbers predicts better survival in myeloma patients treated with thalidomide-based regimens. Int J Hematol 110, 306–312 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-019-02679-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-019-02679-x

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