Detection of minimal residual disease by real-time PCR can be used as a surrogate marker to evaluate the graft-versus-myeloma effect after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2003 Oct;32(8):791-3. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1704207.

Abstract

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is an effective and potentially curative treatment for some cases of multiple myeloma (MM). The curative efficacy of allo-SCT may be largely attributed to its immunological activity, the graft-versus-myeloma (GVM) effect. To evaluate the kinetics of residual myeloma cells, we analyzed the follow-up bone marrow samples of three MM patients by means of a real-time molecular assay. We identified a consistent correlation between onset of graft-versus-host disease and disease response. These data suggest that real-time molecular follow-up can be used to monitor the GVM effect and that it can be employed in the clinical setting to tailor post transplant immunomodulation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetic Testing / methods*
  • Graft vs Tumor Effect*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy*
  • Neoplasm, Residual / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasm, Residual / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods

Substances

  • Genetic Markers