Dendritic cells from multiple myeloma patients have impaired functionality

06-02-2006

Dendritic cells from patients with multiple myeloma have impaired functionality and phenotypic profile.

"Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B cell cancer characterized by clonal proliferation in the bone marrow and impaired immunity. Because MM is an incurable malignancy, efficient consolidation is needed urgently. Targeting clonotypic B cells by idiotype vaccination has proved the principle to be effective and indicated that future strategies, including dendritic cell-based vaccination, could be a suitable approach," scientists in Denmark report.

"However, as MM patients suffer from a general impaired immunity, which may include dendritic cells (DCs), a careful evaluation of phenotypic traits and functionality of DCs from MM patients is necessary before an efficient vaccine can be developed," said Marie K. Brimnes and colleagues at the Universities of Copenhagen and Aarhus. "This study determined the number, phenotypic profile and functionality of myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs purified directly from blood from MM patients at diagnosis."

"A reduced number and lower expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules was observed on both myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs in MM patients compared to healthy controls," the researchers reported. "Also, the expression of CCR5, CCR7 and DEC205 was lower in MM patients compared to normal donors. In addition, the capacity to stimulate allogeneic T cell proliferation and to stimulate cytokine production was decreased, suggesting that DCs from these patients are functionally impaired."

"Finally, the analysis of samples following chemotherapy and transplantation demonstrated an increased expression of HLA molecules, suggesting that this time-point is optimal for harvest and use in vaccination," the authors noted.

Brimnes and associates published their study in Clinical and Experimental Immunology (Impaired functionality and phenotypic profile of dendritic cells from patients with multiple myeloma. Clin Exp Immunol, 2006;144(1):76-84).

For additional information, contact Marie K. Brimnes, Department of Haematology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev Ringvej, University of Copenhagen, Herlev Ringvej, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark. E-mail: mbrimnes@hotmail.com.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Clinical and Experimental Immunology is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, England.

Keywords: Herlev, Denmark, Multiple Myeloma Vaccine, Cancer Vaccine, Dendritic Cell Vaccine, Vaccine Development, Vaccine Efficacy, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Oncology, Dendritic Cells, Proteomics.

This article was prepared by Cancer Vaccine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Cancer Vaccine Week via NewsRx.com.