RESUMO
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
RESUMO
In the present study we report the clinical outcome of 27 patients with refractory or relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma [HL] undergoing autologous peripheral stem-cell transplantation [ASCT]. On transplant, 18 patients had sensitive disease [SD] and 9 resistant disease [RD]. The median time between diagnosis and ASCT was 18 months [range, 7 to 96 months]. The conditioning consisted of BEAM regimen. The 100-day mortality rate was 3%. Three months after transplant, 12 patients transplanted with SD were in complete remission [CR] and only one of the 9 patients transplanted with RD achieved CR. Overall survival and disease-free survival after 3 years were 68% and 60%, respectively. The present results confirm the efficacy and safety of the ASCT in refractory or relapsed HL patients with SD. Other strategies should be investigated for patients with RD