Heterogeneity in the multiple myeloma tumor clone

JEJ Guikema, S Hovenga, E Vellenga… - Leukemia & …, 2004 - Taylor & Francis
JEJ Guikema, S Hovenga, E Vellenga, NA Bos
Leukemia & lymphoma, 2004Taylor & Francis
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy which is characterized by a very
heterogeneous disease outcome. Heterogeneity in plasma cell characteristics, including
morphology, maturation status, immunophenotype and genetic abnormalities partly account
for the variable disease outcome. Although the plasma cell is the predominant cell type in
MM, several studies have shown that less mature B cells, which are clonally related to the
malignant plasma cells, are present in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of MM …
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy which is characterized by a very heterogeneous disease outcome. Heterogeneity in plasma cell characteristics, including morphology, maturation status, immunophenotype and genetic abnormalities partly account for the variable disease outcome. Although the plasma cell is the predominant cell type in MM, several studies have shown that less mature B cells, which are clonally related to the malignant plasma cells, are present in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of MM patients. The significance of these so-called myeloma clonotypic B cells in the disease process remains largely unknown. In this review the role of myeloma clonotypic B cells and myeloma tumor clone heterogeneity in relation to prognosis and clinical outcome are discussed.
Taylor & Francis Online