S. Battaglio - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by S. Battaglio
Blood
The curative potential of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with low dose total... more The curative potential of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with low dose total body irradiation (TBI) based conditionings relies exclusively upon a graft-versus-myeloma effect through donor lymphocytes. Thus, low tumor burden and well-controlled disease at transplant could play a pivotal role. Forty-four consecutive patients with myeloma were treated at 4 different Institutions. Thirty newly diagnosed patients (group A) received a planned autologous transplant with melphalan 200 mg/m2 followed by 200 cGy TBI and allogeneic G-CSF mobilized PBSC infusions from HLA identical siblings. Median time from diagnosis to HCT was 9 months (range, 5–46). At allografting, 7 (23%) patients were in complete remission (CR), 17 (57%) in partial response (PR) and 6 (20%) had refractory disease. The remaining 14 patients received fludarabine 90 mg/m2 and 200 cGy TBI followed by allogeneic PBSC from HLA identical siblings as salvage therapy (group B) after a median of at least 2 line...
Eur J Haematol, 2009
Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 9 monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) a... more Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 9 monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) and 27 multiple myelomas (MM) were studied with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) that recognize B and T lymphocytes and plasma cells. No difference in the percentage of B lymphocytes, identified by B1 and B4 MoAb, was observed in MGUS and MM patients versus normal controls. However, high percentages of circulating lymphocytes expressing plasma cell-associated antigens were detected in MM (HAN-PC1 + = 29.4k 20.4%; TEC-TlO+ = 27.8 5 19.2%) whereas they were in the normal range in MGUS (HAN-PC1+ = 8.8 f 5.8% p = 0.006; TEC-T10+ = 5.7 5 4.7% p < 0.001). Almost identical results were obtained using PCA-1 MoAb in 17 of these patients. TEC-TlO+ and PCA-1 + lymphocytes were sorted and re-analyzed with phycoerythrin conjugated MoAb in 3 healthy subjects, 2 MGUS, and 4 MM patients. In normal subjects and in MGUS the majority of PCA-1 + cells belonged to the B lineage (Leu 2-, Leu3-, Leu 15-, HLA-Dr+), whereas the majority of TEC-TlO+ cells are represented by activated T cells and NK cells (Leu 15 +). In MM an abnormal expansion of T lymphocytes was chiefly responsible for the high values of lymphocytes expressing plasma cell-associated antigens. Moreover, in MM a clinical evaluation showed a correlation between the presence of these lymphocytes and an aggressive disease. Indeed, they can be considered a useful prognostic marker.
Cancer Research, Oct 15, 1990
The structure of the i-m.cclocus and the flanking chromosomal region was investigated by Southern... more The structure of the i-m.cclocus and the flanking chromosomal region was investigated by Southern blot analysis of DNA from bone marrow aspirates from 42 patients with multiple myeloma. The main abnormality detected was the rearrangement of the MLVI-4 locus, 20 kilobases 3' of c-myc, which was observed in seven cases (16%). Two of these re arrangements were detected at the time of the initial diagnosis, four during treatment, and one at relapse, and their presence correlated with unresponsiveness to therapy. The MLVI-4 locus represents the human homologue of the Moloney leukemia virus integration-4 locus (Mlvi-4), a common region for provirus integration in Moloney murine leukemia virus-induced T-cell lymphomas in rodents. Provirus integration in this locus activates c-myc, and two additional genes, Mlvi-4 and Mlvi-1. The c-myc gene was rearranged in one patient; mutations involving the first exon of c-myc, frequently detected by altered restriction enzyme recog nition sites in Burkitt's lymphomas, were not observed in these myelomas.
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale
ABSTRACT
Cancer Research
The structure of the i-m.cclocus and the flanking chromosomal region was investigated by Southern... more The structure of the i-m.cclocus and the flanking chromosomal region was investigated by Southern blot analysis of DNA from bone marrow aspirates from 42 patients with multiple myeloma. The main abnormality detected was the rearrangement of the MLVI-4 locus, 20 kilobases 3' of c-myc, which was observed in seven cases (16%). Two of these re arrangements were detected at the time of the initial diagnosis, four during treatment, and one at relapse, and their presence correlated with unresponsiveness to therapy. The MLVI-4 locus represents the human homologue of the Moloney leukemia virus integration-4 locus (Mlvi-4), a common region for provirus integration in Moloney murine leukemia virus-induced T-cell lymphomas in rodents. Provirus integration in this locus activates c-myc, and two additional genes, Mlvi-4 and Mlvi-1. The c-myc gene was rearranged in one patient; mutations involving the first exon of c-myc, frequently detected by altered restriction enzyme recog nition sites in Burkitt's lymphomas, were not observed in these myelomas.
Blood, 1988
The phenotypic pattern of peripheral blood T (PBT) lymphocytes was correlated with diagnosis and ... more The phenotypic pattern of peripheral blood T (PBT) lymphocytes was correlated with diagnosis and clinical status in 63 patients with monoclonal gammopathies (MGs). The numbers of lymphocytes expressing activation and CD11 determinants were significantly increased in suppressor/cytotoxic and helper/inducer subpopulations of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and MG of undetermined significance (MGUS). The number of activated suppressor/cytotoxic cells was closely correlated with diagnosis and disease status. These cells were significantly higher in MM at diagnosis (160 +/- 88) than MGUS patients (61 +/- 79; P less than .01). Their number decreased to MGUS levels in MM in stable remission (58 +/- 53), but not in MM with tumor progression (172 +/- 102; P less than .001). In individual patients, part of these cells specifically adhered to dishes precoated with the related M-protein. No monoclonal T-beta gene rearrangement was detected in PBT and cytotoxic/suppressor subpopulations from...
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale
Pathological modification in secretory IgA values as well as in circadian rhythms were found in t... more Pathological modification in secretory IgA values as well as in circadian rhythms were found in tracheotomized patients in both nasal and tracheo-bronchial secretions. The protective role of the mucosal immune system in addition to the frequency of severe infectious respiratory diseases in laryngectomized patients justifies the efforts of clinicians to prevent and treat such modifications. Mucoregulatory drugs have a peculiar role in these therapeutical attempts. Forty tracheotomized subjects with neoplastic disease were studied. Twenty received SCMC-Lys as a mucoregulatory drug. IgA 7S, 11S and albumin values in nasal and tracheo-bronchial secretions, were evaluated at surgery, 15 and then 40 days later. In accordance with clinical data, an improvement in local antibody production, damaged by tracheostomy, was found in the treated group. The influence of SCMS-Lys on SIgA production, whose evaluation was made by means of an original, highly selective and sensitive Immuno-IsoElectroF...
European journal of histochemistry : EJH, 1997
Haematologica
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by a platelet count... more Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by a platelet count higher than 1000 x 10(9)/l. Bone marrow karyotype aberrations are occasionally observed. The presence of cytogenetic and molecular markers of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was assessed in 25 patients with the clinical features of ET. One displayed a complex translocation (9; 15; 22) (q34.1 or q34.3; q26.1; q11), and another a Philadelphia chromosome with standard translocation (9; 22) (q34; q11). Southern blot analysis revealed a rearranged breakpoint cluster region (bcr) in each case. Both patients experienced a stormy disease course without a leukemic transformation. These data indicate that the Philadelphia chromosome rarely occurs in ET and strongly influences patient outcome.
Blood, Jan 15, 1999
Igs contain unique portions, collectively termed idiotypes (Id), that can be recognized by the im... more Igs contain unique portions, collectively termed idiotypes (Id), that can be recognized by the immune system. Id expressed by tumor cells in B-cell malignancies can be regarded as tumor-specific antigens and a target for vaccine immunotherapy. We have started a vaccination trial in multiple myeloma (MM) using Id-specific proteins conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as immunogens and low doses of subcutaneous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or interleukin-2 (IL-2) as immunoadjuvants. Twelve patients who had previously been treated with high-dose chemotherapy followed by peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation entered this study from August 1995 to January 1998. All patients were in first remission at the time of vaccination. They received subcutaneous injections of Id vaccines and immunoadjuvants in an outpatient setting. The generation of Id-specific T-cell proliferative responses was documented in 2 patients, whereas a positive Id...
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale, 1995
Recurrent nasal polyposis is one of the most common unsolved problem in clinical rhinology. In th... more Recurrent nasal polyposis is one of the most common unsolved problem in clinical rhinology. In the last few years a great number of histopathological, immunohistochemical and immunological studies on nasal polyps have been carried out by several Authors. Notwithstanding this, the aetiology of these formations still remains unknown. Many data suggest that the presence of polyps is the result of various inflammatory, allergic and pseudo-allergic processes which finally lead to the formation of the oedema constitutive of the polyp itself. In the present report a preliminary trial was carried out in order to evaluate the possibility of preventing recurrences by means of a locally administered anti-H1 receptors drug (Azelastine HCl). In the reported first phase of the study 10 allergic patients with bilateral polyposis were evaluated. Attention was given to the anti-edemigen activity of the drug, as well as to its influence on the local production of Secretory IgA, 7SIgA and albumines. D...
Minerva medica, 1995
The paper describes a case of mixed cryoglobulinemia with a double serum monoclonal component. Th... more The paper describes a case of mixed cryoglobulinemia with a double serum monoclonal component. The serum immunofixation revealed that a monoclonal component was IgG lambda while the other was positive for antisera anti-IgM, anti-k and anti-lambda even if the EP proved monoclonal. Resuspended cryoglobulins had the same electrophoresis pattern and the same reactivity for the antisera as the IgM serum component.
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 1989
In order to assess the prognostic value of rapid tumor mass reduction in responding multiple myel... more In order to assess the prognostic value of rapid tumor mass reduction in responding multiple myeloma (MM) patients, 100 consecutive patients were analyzed, and bone marrow plasma cell kinetic characteristics were evaluated at diagnosis. Forty-two patients obtained a tumor mass reduction greater than or equal to 50% with three cycles of chemotherapy and within 3 months (early responder myeloma [ERM]), and 23 in greater than 3 months (slow responder myeloma [SRM]). Survival rates in these two groups were not statistically different (P = .07). The labeling index (LI) of bone marrow plasma cells was significantly higher in ERM patients than in SRM patients (1.8 +/- 2.0 v 0.8 +/- 0.7, P = .006). The LI was used to separate the ERM patients into two well-defined subgroups. ERM patients with a LI greater than or equal to 2% showed a median survival of 16.4 months, whereas ERM patients with a LI less than 2% did not reach the median survival at 46.9 months (P less than .0044). Remission dur...
Tumori, Jan 28, 1989
We analyzed the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain gene rearrangement in the peripheral blood lympho... more We analyzed the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain gene rearrangement in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of a patient with multiple myeloma (MM). Although the morphological and immunological examination did not reveal the presence of circulating plasma cells, a monoclonal Ig gene rearrangement was detected. This observation indicates that a monoclonal expansion of circulating B cells was present in the peripheral lymphocytes of this patient.
Haematologica
The expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 antigens was simultaneously evaluated in peripheral blood and ... more The expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 antigens was simultaneously evaluated in peripheral blood and bone marrow lymphocytes from 22 multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The coexpression of CD11b and HLA-DR antigens was also analyzed within the CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations in 4 MM patients. In peripheral blood the percentage of CD3+ and CD8+ cells was in the normal range, and the percentage of CD4+ was slightly reduced, leading to an altered CD4/CD8 ratio (less than 1) in only 7 patients. On the contrary, in bone marrow the percentage of CD4+ was profoundly reduced, leading to an altered CD4/CD8 ratio in all MM patients. As we previously reported in peripheral blood, an expansion of the CD11b+ and HLA-DR+ lymphocytes was observed within the CD4+ and CD8+ bone marrow T-cell subpopulations. A T-lymphocyte subset imbalance is more evident in bone marrow than in peripheral blood, and it is not due to a different lymphocyte distribution within the hematological compartments.
Blood
The curative potential of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with low dose total... more The curative potential of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with low dose total body irradiation (TBI) based conditionings relies exclusively upon a graft-versus-myeloma effect through donor lymphocytes. Thus, low tumor burden and well-controlled disease at transplant could play a pivotal role. Forty-four consecutive patients with myeloma were treated at 4 different Institutions. Thirty newly diagnosed patients (group A) received a planned autologous transplant with melphalan 200 mg/m2 followed by 200 cGy TBI and allogeneic G-CSF mobilized PBSC infusions from HLA identical siblings. Median time from diagnosis to HCT was 9 months (range, 5–46). At allografting, 7 (23%) patients were in complete remission (CR), 17 (57%) in partial response (PR) and 6 (20%) had refractory disease. The remaining 14 patients received fludarabine 90 mg/m2 and 200 cGy TBI followed by allogeneic PBSC from HLA identical siblings as salvage therapy (group B) after a median of at least 2 line...
Eur J Haematol, 2009
Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 9 monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) a... more Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 9 monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) and 27 multiple myelomas (MM) were studied with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) that recognize B and T lymphocytes and plasma cells. No difference in the percentage of B lymphocytes, identified by B1 and B4 MoAb, was observed in MGUS and MM patients versus normal controls. However, high percentages of circulating lymphocytes expressing plasma cell-associated antigens were detected in MM (HAN-PC1 + = 29.4k 20.4%; TEC-TlO+ = 27.8 5 19.2%) whereas they were in the normal range in MGUS (HAN-PC1+ = 8.8 f 5.8% p = 0.006; TEC-T10+ = 5.7 5 4.7% p < 0.001). Almost identical results were obtained using PCA-1 MoAb in 17 of these patients. TEC-TlO+ and PCA-1 + lymphocytes were sorted and re-analyzed with phycoerythrin conjugated MoAb in 3 healthy subjects, 2 MGUS, and 4 MM patients. In normal subjects and in MGUS the majority of PCA-1 + cells belonged to the B lineage (Leu 2-, Leu3-, Leu 15-, HLA-Dr+), whereas the majority of TEC-TlO+ cells are represented by activated T cells and NK cells (Leu 15 +). In MM an abnormal expansion of T lymphocytes was chiefly responsible for the high values of lymphocytes expressing plasma cell-associated antigens. Moreover, in MM a clinical evaluation showed a correlation between the presence of these lymphocytes and an aggressive disease. Indeed, they can be considered a useful prognostic marker.
Cancer Research, Oct 15, 1990
The structure of the i-m.cclocus and the flanking chromosomal region was investigated by Southern... more The structure of the i-m.cclocus and the flanking chromosomal region was investigated by Southern blot analysis of DNA from bone marrow aspirates from 42 patients with multiple myeloma. The main abnormality detected was the rearrangement of the MLVI-4 locus, 20 kilobases 3' of c-myc, which was observed in seven cases (16%). Two of these re arrangements were detected at the time of the initial diagnosis, four during treatment, and one at relapse, and their presence correlated with unresponsiveness to therapy. The MLVI-4 locus represents the human homologue of the Moloney leukemia virus integration-4 locus (Mlvi-4), a common region for provirus integration in Moloney murine leukemia virus-induced T-cell lymphomas in rodents. Provirus integration in this locus activates c-myc, and two additional genes, Mlvi-4 and Mlvi-1. The c-myc gene was rearranged in one patient; mutations involving the first exon of c-myc, frequently detected by altered restriction enzyme recog nition sites in Burkitt's lymphomas, were not observed in these myelomas.
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica: organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale
ABSTRACT
Cancer Research
The structure of the i-m.cclocus and the flanking chromosomal region was investigated by Southern... more The structure of the i-m.cclocus and the flanking chromosomal region was investigated by Southern blot analysis of DNA from bone marrow aspirates from 42 patients with multiple myeloma. The main abnormality detected was the rearrangement of the MLVI-4 locus, 20 kilobases 3' of c-myc, which was observed in seven cases (16%). Two of these re arrangements were detected at the time of the initial diagnosis, four during treatment, and one at relapse, and their presence correlated with unresponsiveness to therapy. The MLVI-4 locus represents the human homologue of the Moloney leukemia virus integration-4 locus (Mlvi-4), a common region for provirus integration in Moloney murine leukemia virus-induced T-cell lymphomas in rodents. Provirus integration in this locus activates c-myc, and two additional genes, Mlvi-4 and Mlvi-1. The c-myc gene was rearranged in one patient; mutations involving the first exon of c-myc, frequently detected by altered restriction enzyme recog nition sites in Burkitt's lymphomas, were not observed in these myelomas.
Blood, 1988
The phenotypic pattern of peripheral blood T (PBT) lymphocytes was correlated with diagnosis and ... more The phenotypic pattern of peripheral blood T (PBT) lymphocytes was correlated with diagnosis and clinical status in 63 patients with monoclonal gammopathies (MGs). The numbers of lymphocytes expressing activation and CD11 determinants were significantly increased in suppressor/cytotoxic and helper/inducer subpopulations of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and MG of undetermined significance (MGUS). The number of activated suppressor/cytotoxic cells was closely correlated with diagnosis and disease status. These cells were significantly higher in MM at diagnosis (160 +/- 88) than MGUS patients (61 +/- 79; P less than .01). Their number decreased to MGUS levels in MM in stable remission (58 +/- 53), but not in MM with tumor progression (172 +/- 102; P less than .001). In individual patients, part of these cells specifically adhered to dishes precoated with the related M-protein. No monoclonal T-beta gene rearrangement was detected in PBT and cytotoxic/suppressor subpopulations from...
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale
Pathological modification in secretory IgA values as well as in circadian rhythms were found in t... more Pathological modification in secretory IgA values as well as in circadian rhythms were found in tracheotomized patients in both nasal and tracheo-bronchial secretions. The protective role of the mucosal immune system in addition to the frequency of severe infectious respiratory diseases in laryngectomized patients justifies the efforts of clinicians to prevent and treat such modifications. Mucoregulatory drugs have a peculiar role in these therapeutical attempts. Forty tracheotomized subjects with neoplastic disease were studied. Twenty received SCMC-Lys as a mucoregulatory drug. IgA 7S, 11S and albumin values in nasal and tracheo-bronchial secretions, were evaluated at surgery, 15 and then 40 days later. In accordance with clinical data, an improvement in local antibody production, damaged by tracheostomy, was found in the treated group. The influence of SCMS-Lys on SIgA production, whose evaluation was made by means of an original, highly selective and sensitive Immuno-IsoElectroF...
European journal of histochemistry : EJH, 1997
Haematologica
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by a platelet count... more Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by a platelet count higher than 1000 x 10(9)/l. Bone marrow karyotype aberrations are occasionally observed. The presence of cytogenetic and molecular markers of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was assessed in 25 patients with the clinical features of ET. One displayed a complex translocation (9; 15; 22) (q34.1 or q34.3; q26.1; q11), and another a Philadelphia chromosome with standard translocation (9; 22) (q34; q11). Southern blot analysis revealed a rearranged breakpoint cluster region (bcr) in each case. Both patients experienced a stormy disease course without a leukemic transformation. These data indicate that the Philadelphia chromosome rarely occurs in ET and strongly influences patient outcome.
Blood, Jan 15, 1999
Igs contain unique portions, collectively termed idiotypes (Id), that can be recognized by the im... more Igs contain unique portions, collectively termed idiotypes (Id), that can be recognized by the immune system. Id expressed by tumor cells in B-cell malignancies can be regarded as tumor-specific antigens and a target for vaccine immunotherapy. We have started a vaccination trial in multiple myeloma (MM) using Id-specific proteins conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as immunogens and low doses of subcutaneous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or interleukin-2 (IL-2) as immunoadjuvants. Twelve patients who had previously been treated with high-dose chemotherapy followed by peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation entered this study from August 1995 to January 1998. All patients were in first remission at the time of vaccination. They received subcutaneous injections of Id vaccines and immunoadjuvants in an outpatient setting. The generation of Id-specific T-cell proliferative responses was documented in 2 patients, whereas a positive Id...
Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Società italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale, 1995
Recurrent nasal polyposis is one of the most common unsolved problem in clinical rhinology. In th... more Recurrent nasal polyposis is one of the most common unsolved problem in clinical rhinology. In the last few years a great number of histopathological, immunohistochemical and immunological studies on nasal polyps have been carried out by several Authors. Notwithstanding this, the aetiology of these formations still remains unknown. Many data suggest that the presence of polyps is the result of various inflammatory, allergic and pseudo-allergic processes which finally lead to the formation of the oedema constitutive of the polyp itself. In the present report a preliminary trial was carried out in order to evaluate the possibility of preventing recurrences by means of a locally administered anti-H1 receptors drug (Azelastine HCl). In the reported first phase of the study 10 allergic patients with bilateral polyposis were evaluated. Attention was given to the anti-edemigen activity of the drug, as well as to its influence on the local production of Secretory IgA, 7SIgA and albumines. D...
Minerva medica, 1995
The paper describes a case of mixed cryoglobulinemia with a double serum monoclonal component. Th... more The paper describes a case of mixed cryoglobulinemia with a double serum monoclonal component. The serum immunofixation revealed that a monoclonal component was IgG lambda while the other was positive for antisera anti-IgM, anti-k and anti-lambda even if the EP proved monoclonal. Resuspended cryoglobulins had the same electrophoresis pattern and the same reactivity for the antisera as the IgM serum component.
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 1989
In order to assess the prognostic value of rapid tumor mass reduction in responding multiple myel... more In order to assess the prognostic value of rapid tumor mass reduction in responding multiple myeloma (MM) patients, 100 consecutive patients were analyzed, and bone marrow plasma cell kinetic characteristics were evaluated at diagnosis. Forty-two patients obtained a tumor mass reduction greater than or equal to 50% with three cycles of chemotherapy and within 3 months (early responder myeloma [ERM]), and 23 in greater than 3 months (slow responder myeloma [SRM]). Survival rates in these two groups were not statistically different (P = .07). The labeling index (LI) of bone marrow plasma cells was significantly higher in ERM patients than in SRM patients (1.8 +/- 2.0 v 0.8 +/- 0.7, P = .006). The LI was used to separate the ERM patients into two well-defined subgroups. ERM patients with a LI greater than or equal to 2% showed a median survival of 16.4 months, whereas ERM patients with a LI less than 2% did not reach the median survival at 46.9 months (P less than .0044). Remission dur...
Tumori, Jan 28, 1989
We analyzed the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain gene rearrangement in the peripheral blood lympho... more We analyzed the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain gene rearrangement in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of a patient with multiple myeloma (MM). Although the morphological and immunological examination did not reveal the presence of circulating plasma cells, a monoclonal Ig gene rearrangement was detected. This observation indicates that a monoclonal expansion of circulating B cells was present in the peripheral lymphocytes of this patient.
Haematologica
The expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 antigens was simultaneously evaluated in peripheral blood and ... more The expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 antigens was simultaneously evaluated in peripheral blood and bone marrow lymphocytes from 22 multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The coexpression of CD11b and HLA-DR antigens was also analyzed within the CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations in 4 MM patients. In peripheral blood the percentage of CD3+ and CD8+ cells was in the normal range, and the percentage of CD4+ was slightly reduced, leading to an altered CD4/CD8 ratio (less than 1) in only 7 patients. On the contrary, in bone marrow the percentage of CD4+ was profoundly reduced, leading to an altered CD4/CD8 ratio in all MM patients. As we previously reported in peripheral blood, an expansion of the CD11b+ and HLA-DR+ lymphocytes was observed within the CD4+ and CD8+ bone marrow T-cell subpopulations. A T-lymphocyte subset imbalance is more evident in bone marrow than in peripheral blood, and it is not due to a different lymphocyte distribution within the hematological compartments.