OBJECTIVETo investigate cellular immune function and its clinical significance in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS45 MM patients were divided into three groups:newly diagnosed (n=18), stable stage (n=17) and relapsed/refractory (n=10). The frequencies of T cell subtypes, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DC), helper T cells (including Th1 and Th2), regulatory T cells(Treg) and Th17 cells in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Serum concentrations of β2 microglobulin (β2-MG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and hemoglobin (Hb) were also detected, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with controls and stable stage group, the ratios of CD4+/CD8+, DC1/DC2, and Th1/Th2, the numbers of Treg and NK cells were significantly lower in newly diagnosed group. However, the ratio of IL-17A/Treg was significantly higher in newly diagnosed group (P<0.05). Compared with stable stage group, the ratios of CD4+/CD8+, DC1/DC2 and Th1/Th2 were significantly lower, and the ratio of IL-17A/Treg was significantly higher in relapsed/refractory group (P<0.05). In higher ISS stages, the ratios of CD4+/CD8+ and Th1/Th2 were significantly lower and the ratio of IL-17A/Treg was significantly higher (P<0.05). There were negative correlations between the ratios of CD4+/CD8+, DC1/DC2, Th1/Th2 and the levels of β2-MG and LDH, respectively (P<0.05). The ratio of IL-17A/Treg was positively correlated with the levels of β2-MG and LDH (P<0.05). They were no correlated with the level of Hb (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal ratios of CD4+/CD8+, DC1/DC2, Th1/Th2 and IL-17A/Treg were closely related with disease condition stages, treatment outcomes, progression and prognosis in MM patients.