[Chronic neutrophilic leukemia complicated with multiple myeloma: two cases report and literature review]

OBJECTIVE

To explored the diagnosis and treatment of chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) complicated with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

The clinical features and molecular biological characteristics of 2 patients with CNL complicated with MM were summarized, and the diagnosis and treatment of the patients were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of CNL complicated with MM was established in 2 cases. Case 1 had CSF3R mutation (P733T), but CSF3R-exon 14 mutation and SETBP1 mutation were all negative. The neutrophil count returned to normal when MM was successfully treated in case 1. When the patient relapsed, neutrophil count increased again.

CONCLUSION

Coexistence of CNL and MM is rare. CSF3R is a very important molecular marker for CNL. To the best of our knowledge, it's the first time to report the coexistence of CNL and MM carried CSF3R mutation (P733T). Chemotherapy regimens for MM may be effective in the treatment of CNL complicated with MM.

[The significance of serum IgD quantitation for evaluation of clinical efficacy in IgD multiple myeloma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the significance of serum IgD quantitation in evaluation of clinical efficacy in IgD myeloma.

METHODS

Serum IgD and free light chain (sFLC) levels were determined by immune scatter turbidimetry with SPA plus analysis machine in 29 patients with IgD multiple myeloma (MM) achieving VGPR or better response following previous treatments. The concurrent immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) results were also incorporated and analyzed.

RESULTS

Increased IgD levels were detected in 1 of 12 patients achieving sCR, 2 of 5 patients achieving CR and 4 of 12 patients achieving VGPR, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 38.5 months, 34.1 months and 15.5 months for patients achieving sCR, CR and VGPR, respectively, with a significant difference between sCR and VGPR groups (P=0.022), and between CR and VGPR groups (P=0.018). There was no difference in overall survival (OS) among sCR, CR and VGPR groups (P>0.05). The median PFS were 7.8, 33.7 and 43.9 months, respectively for the patients with both abnormal sFLC ratios and IgD levels (6 cases, Group A), with either abnormal sFLC ratios or increased IgD levels (10 cases, Group B) or with normal sFLC ratios and IgD levels (13 cases, Group C). A significant PFS benefit of Group A over Group C was found (P=0.033), and no differences in terms of OS among three groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

IgD levels may remain abnormal in IgD MM patients who have achieved VGPR or better response, and IgD quantitation represented a useful assay complementary to the current lab examinations. IgD quantitation assay was of significance in clinical efficacy evaluation and survival judgement, and should be incorporated into the evaluation parameters used for IgD MM in addition to sFLC and IFE assays.

[Study of NK cells dysfunction in multiple myeloma patients]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism of NK cell dysfunction in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

The expression of inhibitory receptors (CD158a and CD158b) and activating receptors NKG2D and NCRs (NKp30, NKp44 and NKp46) on CD3-CD56+NK cell of 13 MM patients and 30 healthy controls were analyzed by flow cytometry. The concentration of soluble NKG2D ligands (MICA, MICB, ULBP1, ULBP2 and ULBP3) in serum was detected by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the cytotoxicity of NK cell against MM cell line by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

There are no significant differences of percentage and absolute number of NK cells, and the expression level of CD158a and CD158b between MM patients and healthy individuals (P>0.05). No NKp44 expression was detected on fresh isolated NK cells from both groups. There is no difference in inhibitor receptors expression between MM patients and healthy individuals but the expression of NKG2D, NKp30 and NKp46 on NK cells were higher in MM patients as compared with that in healthy individuals. The concentration of soluble NKG2D ligands in serum was higher in MM patients as compared with that in healthy individuals (P<0.05). Cultured healthy individual's NK cells with MM patient's serum could significantly decrease its cytotoxicity against MM cell line U266 cells [(38.5 ± 6.5) % vs (25.4 ± 5.9)%, P=0.044］.

CONCLUSION

The higher level of soluble NKG2D ligands in serum may be the mechanism of NK cell dysfunction in MM patient.

[The clinic and pathologic significance of plasma cell myeloma with CCND1]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical and pathologic features of multiple myeloma(MM) with CCND1.

METHODS

Retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathologic profiles of 158 patients with MM from 2010 to 2013. The clinical and morphologic features of bone marrow aspiration, biopsy and immunophenotypic analysis which was carried out by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were analyzed in all patients with MM respectively. CCND1 translocation was studied by FISH method in all cases. Classical cytogenetic studies of bone marrow were performed in 24 cases whose CCND1 was positive.

RESULTS

In the 158 patients with MM, CCND1 was detected in 31 patients (19.6%）. In 31 patients, type IgA, IgD, IgG, IgM, light-chain only and nonsecretory MM were 4 cases,4 cases,11 cases,1 case, 6 cases and 5 cases respectively. A high incidence of CCND1 was observed in IgD and nonsecretory MM comparied with IgA and IgG respectively (P<0.05). but no statistical significance was reached between κ and λ type patients (P=0.627). The morphology of plasma cell in bone marrow biopsies were small Lymphocyte- Like 24 cases,mature plasma cell 6 cases and immature plasma cell 1 case. Immunophenotype of all 31 cases was CD38⁺CD138⁺CD19⁻CD45⁻, (CD56⁺ in 11 cases, CD20⁺ in 9 cases, CD117⁺ in 3 cases. MM with CCND1 showed a strong association with CD20 expression, the lack of CD56 expression. Immunohistochemistry showed positive for cyclinD1 in 22 cases.

CONCLUSION

A high incidence of CCND1 was detected in the IgD and nonsecretory MM, and correlated with Small Lymphocyte- Like, higher positive rate of CD20, cyclinD1 and the lack of CD56 expression. MM with CCND1 must be distinguished from LPL and other mature B cell lymphomas which have plasmacytoid differentiation.

[Effect of shRNA-mediated silencing of BDNF gene on VEGF expression of RPMI8226 cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of human multiple myeloma (MM) cell line RPMI8226 regulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and preliminarily approach the close relationship between BDNF and angiogenesis of MM.

METHODS

The recombinant eukaryotic BDNF siRNA expression vector was designed and constructed. The empty vector pGenesil-1, and the recombinant plasmid, pGenesil-shRNA-BDNF were transfected into RPMI8226 cells using Lipofectamine™ 2000 (groups P0 and P1, respectively). BDNF mRNA and protein level in RPMI8226 cells were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively; the cellular proliferation activity was determined by MTT assay, while the cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry; the variation of VEGF mRNA level in RPMI8226 cells via transfection was determined by RT-PCR, the secretion of VEGF was detected by ELISA.

RESULTS

(1)The recombinant eukaryotic BDNF siRNA expression vectors were successfully constructed. BDNF mRNA expression and protein level in P1 group were significantly inhibited compared to those in non-transfected group (Pn) and P0 groups (P<0.05); (2)MTT tests demonstrated that the cellular proliferation activities were obviously decreased in Pn (0.42 ± 0.06) vs P0 (0.56 ± 0.06) and P1 (0.50 ± 0.04) groups (P<0.05); (3)The early cell apoptosis rates were statistically increased in P1 [(53.84 ± 9.95)%] vs Pn [(5.23 ± 2.46)%] and P0 [(9.10 ± 3.46)%] groups (P<0.01); (4)The silence of endogenous BDNF significantly decreased the expression of VEGF in RPMI8226 cells:the relative expression level of VEGF121, VEGF145 and VEGF165 in P1 group were (0.62 ± 0.07), (0.47 ± 0.09) and (0.57 ± 0.02) folds compared to Pn group (P<0.05); (5)ELISA demonstrated that secretion of VEGF in P1 group were (0.36 ± 0.05) and (0.44 ± 0.06) folds compared to Pn and P0 group, respectively (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

BDNF gene silence can obviously increase apoptosis of RPMI8226 cells, inhibit their proliferation and decrease the expression of VEGF. BDNF might mediate the expression of VEGF in MM cells, which may be involved in MM angiogenesis.

[The impact of renal function on prognostic value of β₂-microglobulin of ISS stage system in multiple myeloma patients--Clinical data analysis of 666 patients in a single center]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of renal function on the level of β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) as prognostic factor in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients, and to analyze the overall survival (OS) in different level of β₂-MG with relatively normal or abnormal renal function in MM patients.

METHODS

According to the level of β₂-MG, 666 newly diagnosed MM patients were divided into three groups as β₂-MG<3.5, 3.5-<5.5, ≥5.5 mg/L. According to the level of serum creatinine, these patients were divided into two groups:serum creatinine <177 μmol/L as relatively normal group, serum creatinine ≥177 μmol/L as abnormal group.

RESULTS

Among 666 patients, there were 416 male and 250 female, the median age was 58 (25-86) years old. Comparison of OS among β₂-MG<3.5, 3.5-<5.5, ≥5.5 mg/L groups indicated that the median OS of the three groups were 85.75 (95% CI 70.99-100.50), 47.25 (95% CI 40.98-53.53) and 35.05 (95% CI 30.75-39.35) months, respectively (P<0.01). Comparison of OS between serum creatinine <177 and ≥177 mmol/L groups, the median OS of the two groups were 64.67 (95% CI 56.57-72.77) and 32.74 (95% CI 27.74-37.73) months, respectively (P<0.01). In β₂-MG≥5.5 mg/L, the median OS of relatively normal and abnormal groups were 37.25 (95% CI 31.45-43.06) and 32.55 (95% CI 26.26-38.83) months, respectively (P=0.142).

CONCLUSION

High level of β₂-MG and renal function correlated with shorter survival of MM patients. Higher level of β₂-MG with abnormal renal function can't change the prognostic value of β₂-microglobulin on MM.

[Efficacy of continuous low-dose cyclophosphamide and prednisone regimen in refractory multiple myeloma patients with severe heart failure]

OBJECTIVE

To observe treatment response, survival, safety and the improvement of ECOG in patients with refractory multiple myeloma (MM) with serious heart failure after the administration of continuous low-dose of cyclophosphamide combined with prednisone (CP).

METHODS

From January 2005 to September 2013, a total of 75 patients were treated by metronomic chemotherapy with continuous low-dose cyclophosphamide (50 mg/d) and prednisone (15 mg/d).

RESULTS

Among the 75 patients, 2 were lost for follow-up. In the 73 available patients, the overall response was 64.4%, including 2 patients (2.7%) with complete remission (CR), 4 cases (5.5%) very good partial remission (VGPR), and 24 patients (32.9%) partial remission (PR). The median survival was 12 months (1-70 months) with a median onset time of 90 days (16-120) and a median progressive freedom survival of 12 months (1-60). The level of B-type natriuretic peptide in responders declined significantly, as compared to no responders [(336.6 ± 30.3) ng/L vs (906.4 ± 104.8) ng/L, P<0.01]. Common adverse events were as follows: 32 (43.8%) cases of bone marrow suppression, 26 (35.6%) cases of infection, 8 cases of dizzy as well as sleepiness (11.0%), 7(9.6%) cases of Cushing syndrome, 4 (5.5%) cases of secondary diabetes mellitus, and 3 (4.1%) cases of edema respectively.

CONCLUSION

The metronomic chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide combined with prednisone had satisfactory impact on the treatment outcome, including the improvement of cardiac functions and physical capacities, better survival and safety in refractory MM with serious heart failure. It provides a novel regimen for such patients.