Multiple myeloma: circulating lymphocytes that express plasma cell antigens
GJ Ruiz-Arguelles, JA Katzmann, PR Greipp, NJ Gonchoroff, JP Garton and RA Kyle
The bone marrow and peripheral blood of 14 patients with multiple myeloma
were studied with murine monoclonal antibodies that identify antigens on
plasma cells (R1-3 and OKT10). Peripheral blood lymphocytes expressing
plasma cell antigens were found in six cases. Five of these cases expressed
the same antigens that were present on the plasma cells in the bone marrow.
Patients that showed such peripheral blood involvement were found to have a
larger tumor burden and higher bone marrow plasma cell proliferative
activity. In some patients, antigens normally found at earlier stages of B
cell differentiation (B1, B2, and J5) were expressed by peripheral blood
lymphocytes and/or bone marrow plasma cells.
Volume 64,
Issue 2,
pp. 352-356,
08/01/1984
Copyright © 1984 by The American Society of Hematology