Abstract

Immunoglobulin heavy/light chain (HLC) ratios were studied in 37 patients with multiple myeloma in complete remission after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Increased IgAκ/IgAλ and IgMκ/IgMλ ratios were associated with longer progression-free survival (P = .006 and .01, respectively). A statistical trend toward a longer overall survival was also observed for the IgAκ/IgAλ ratio (P = .068). Considering the original immunoglobulin isotype, our results indicate that an increased κ/λ ratio of the uninvolved isotype is associated with longer progression-free survival and overall survival. This is the first report demonstrating the association between the HLC ratio and sustained complete remission in patients with multiple myeloma. Our results suggest that the HLC ratio is a surrogate marker of immune recovery after myeloablative transplantation, rather than as a marker of minimal residual disease.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Tovar N, Fernández de Larrea C, Elena M, Cibeira MT, Aróstegui JI, Rosiñol L, Filella X, Yagüe J, Bladé J

Institution

Department of Hematology, Amyloidosis and Myeloma Unit, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Source

Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation 18:7 2012 Jul pg 1076-9

MeSH

Adult
Aged
Biological Markers
Disease-Free Survival
Female
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Humans
Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
Immunoglobulin Isotypes
Immunoglobulin Light Chains
Immunosuppressive Agents
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Myeloma
Remission Induction
Transplantation, Autologous

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22430087