[Does multiple myeloma response induction therapy depending on plasma cell il6 receptor gene expression]

Interleukine 6 [IL-6] is the most important cytokine involved in malignant plasma cells growth and survival. To analyse bone marrow plasma cells IL6 receptor gene expression in both multiple myeloma patients at diagnosis and healthy bone marrow donors. Clinical and biological patients' features and responses to Dexamethasone-Thalidomide induction therapy were gathered. 47 patients and 16 case controls were analyzed: Bone marrow plasma cells were isolated; and IL6 receptor gene expression was quantified using Taqman quantitative PCr technology and 2-DELTA CT formula. Quantitative and qualitative IL6 receptor gene expression were negatively correlated with the degree of response to therapy [p= 0.02]. In this study, plasma cells IL6 receptor gene expression seems to be decisive in predicting the response to treatment. Understanding the mechanisms involved in plasma cells IL6 receptor gene expression may offer a better appreciation of the physiopathologic and anti-oncogenic ways of drug resistance in multiple myeloma and consequently the discovery of new specific drugs

[Adult lymphocytosis classification by flow cytometry]

Positive and differential diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL] is based on immunophenotyping analysis. CLL is searched whenever a persistent lymphocytosis is found. To evaluate the performance of flow cytometry in etiologic diagnosis of lymphocytosis. Could it allow us to distinguish CLL from other causes of lymphocytosis? Blood samples from 104 adult patients having a rate of lymphocytes> 5000 ele/mm[3] persisting more than three months were analyzed using a large panel of monoclonal antibodies in three colors and Cell Quest software. Lymphoproliferative B disorder was retained in 83 cases, including 50 cases of typical CLL with Matutes score >/= 4 and 12 cases of atypical CLL with Matutes score = 3. Diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia and follicular lymphoma were guided by the respective specific antigen expression CD103 and CD10. Large granular T lymphoma [LGL-T] was the most common etiology of lymphoid T proliferation. Unusual cases of Natural Killer [NK] and NK/T proliferations were found. The Flow cytometry is a powerful tool to establish lymphocytosis etiological diagnosis; it avoids invasive investigations in a large number of cases