The Use of Recombinant Human Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in Autologous and Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation

In order to determine the effect of recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF), it has been administered to patients undergoing autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT). Results in patients undergoing antologous or allogeneic BMT indicate that rhGM-CSF is minimally toxic and is associated with reduced morbidity. Trials also indicate that rhGM-CSF may be an acceptable therapy for patients with marrow graft failure since survival appears to improve substantially in patients who received rhGM-CSF compared with historical control patients.     

Reversible leukaemic regrowth under GM-CSF treatment after chemotherapy for AML

A 78-year-old woman with acute myelogenic leukaemia (AML M5 (FAB)) was treated with standard induction chemotherapy followed by recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) (250 micrograms/m2/day) in an effort to accelerate neutrophil recovery. After 10 days of rhGM-CSF therapy, increasing numbers of promonocytes and monocytes were detected in the peripheral blood, with a maximum total white blood count of 14,900/microliters of which 39% were promonocytes, 39% monocytes, and only 3% neutrophils. The bone marrow during GM-CSF therapy was hypercellular and contained 95% monocytic forms. After discontinuation of rhGM-CSF, this monocyte lineage stimulation was completely reversible. Without further chemotherapy the patient entered a complete remission after 9 months and is now relapse free after 24 months. Since the stimulation was restricted to the previously leukaemic lineage of this patient, the profound monocytosis observed in this case suggests the possibility that GM-CSF may exert reversible effects on the proliferation of clonogenic cells in acute monocytic leukaemia.     

rhGM-CSF After Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation From Unrelated Donors: A Pilot Study of Cyclosporine and Prednisone as Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis

Cyclosporine and prednisone were administered as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis to nine patients undergoing marrow transplant from HLA matched, unrelated donors. RhGM-CSF was administered at a dose of 250 μ;g/m² daily to all patients. The median day of neutrophil recovery to 500/mm³ was Day 16. Four patients developed Grade II acute GVHD and four developed Grade 111 acute GVHD. One patient, who survived only 25 days, did not develop GVHD at all. One patient developed systemic infection within the first 28 days after marrow infusion. Comparison of these data to a prior series of patients undergoing bone marrow transplant (BMT) from unrelated donors who were treated with rhGM-CSF along with methotrexate and cyclosporine for GVHD prophylaxis suggests that rhGM-CSF is well-tolerated, neutrophil recovery may be earlier but the severity of GVHD does not appear reduced. Selection of the GVHD prophylaxis regimen may affect the hematopoietic response to cytokine therapy. Further trials with rhGM-CSF in patients undergoing BMT from unrelated donors are required.     

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor-producing multiple myeloma associated with neutrophilia

We report a case of IgG-kappa multiple myeloma associated with neutrophilia (WBC 31,300/microl, neutrophil 90.5%). Interestingly, the serum level of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in this patient was elevated to 1,500 pg/ml (normal range: 5.78-27.5). Plasma cells were 35% in the bone marrow and were strongly stained with anti-G-CSF antibody. To directly study the production of G-CSF from plasma cells in this patient, CD138 positive plasma cells were purified from bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients by magnetic sorting. The expression of G-CSF mRNA was observed in CD138 positive plasma cells from this myeloma patient with neutrophilia by RT-PCR. In contrast, the expression of G-CSF mRNA was not detected in CD138 positive plasma cells from the other multiple myeloma patients without neutrophilia and 4 human myeloma cell lines (HS-Sultan, IM9, RPMI8226, U266) by RT-PCR. After the CD138 positive plasma cells were cultured in vitro for 48 h, the production of G-CSF protein was confirmed (71.8 pg/ml) in the supernatant by ELISA. These results indicated plasma cells of this myeloma patient directly produced G-CSF and that this was the primary cause of neutrophilia.     

Effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor and granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor on in vitro hemopoiesis in the myelodysplastic syndromes.

We evaluated the effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) on the in vitro proliferative, differentiative, and regenerative responsiveness of marrow cells from myelodysplastic syndrome patients (MDS) in comparison to those from normal individuals. Our studies showed decreased primary clonogenicity of myeloid (CFU-GM) and erythroid (BFU-E) hemopoietic progenitor cells from the MDS patients. rhGM-CSF had more potent stimulatory effects than rhG-CSF for MDS marrow CFU-GM growth; no enhanced cellular proliferation in the MDS patients was observed in liquid culture with either rhGM-CSF or rhG-CSF. Decreased myeloid clonal cell self-generation and/or recruitment occurred in the MDS patients upon exposure to either rhG-CSF or rhGM-CSF. rhG-CSF demonstrated more potent granulocytic differentiation effects than rhGM-CSF both for normals and MDS patients using marrow enriched for immature myeloid cells with lesser differentiation noted for MDS. Cytogenetic abnormalities, present with or without additional normal karyotypes in native marrow of four MDS patients, persisted after culture with rhG-CSF, indicating induced differentiation of both normal and abnormal clones. Although proliferative and differentiative effects were seen with both factors these data show MDS marrow cells in vitro to have predominantly differentiative responsiveness to rhG-CSF and proliferative responsiveness to rhGM-CSF.     

Phase I study of intravenously administered bacterially synthesized granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and comparison with subcutaneous administration

A Phase I study of bacterially synthesized recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) was undertaken in 21 patients with advanced malignancy or neutropenia. rhGM-CSF was administered once daily by i.v. bolus injection (0.3 to 3 micrograms/kg/day) or 2-h i.v. infusion (3 to 20 micrograms/kg day) for 10 days. rhGM-CSF at all i.v. doses caused an immediate transient decrease in circulating neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes. By 6 h after rhGM-CSF, circulating leukocyte levels were restored. Daily i.v. bolus dosing (0.3 to 3 micrograms/kg/day) did not elevate leukocyte levels except in one neutropenic patient. Daily 2-h i.v. infusions (10 to 20 micrograms/kg/day) caused a dose-dependent leukocytosis with increased levels of neutrophils (up to 4.3-fold), eosinophils (up to 18-fold), and monocytes (up to 3.5-fold). Marrow aspirates showed increased proportions of promyelocytes and myelocytes during rhGM-CSF administration. Retreatment after 10 days without rhGM-CSF resulted in a more marked leukocytosis at doses greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/kg/day. Platelet levels decreased for the first 3 days and then increased during the first course of rhGM-CSF administration. Two patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia had a transient reduction in lymphocytosis. Serum cholesterol and albumin levels decreased, and vitamin B12 levels increased during rhGM-CSF treatment. At doses of up to 15 micrograms/kg/day, rhGM-CSF was relatively well tolerated by the patients, but adverse effects included bone pain, lethargy, fever, rash, and weight gain. A first dose reaction characterized by hypoxia and hypotension was identified at dose levels greater than or equal to 1 microgram/kg. Dosing i.v. was less potent at inducing a leukocytosis than previously observed for equivalent s.c. doses and was associated with a higher incidence of generalized rash and first dose reactions. The maximal tolerated dose of i.v. rhGM-CSF was 15 micrograms/kg/day. Phase II studies in which the derived effect is to raise leukocyte levels should be undertaken at rhGM-CSF doses of 3 to 15 micrograms/kg/day.     

Concerning the condition of the bone marrow in patients with multiple myeloma

The bone marrow of 48 patients with multiple myeloma was studied prior to therapy. A relationships was established between cluster formation rate, on the one hand, and the numbers of myelocaryocytes, erythrocytes and circulating immune complexes, on the other. In patients with stage III disease, the diminished cellularity of the marrow was due to decreased levels of granulocytes and normocytes. Moreover, those patients revealed fewer erythroclastic marrow clusters. Similar changes in the granulocytic component of hemopoiesis were present in those who died within earlier stages (20 months) after the beginning of therapy. It is suggested that diminished granulocyte pool alongside reduced cluster formation rate may play a role in infectious complication development.     

Stimulation Tests for the Bone Marrow Neutrophil Pool in Malignancies

It has been known for decades that blood neutrophilia occurs after the administration of etiocholanolone, adrenocortical steroids, and endotoxins. Neutrophil leukocytosis in general may be due to several mechanisms such as increased stimulation of the myelopoiesis, increased release from the marrow, a shift from the marginated to the circulating pool (demargination), prolongation in the peripheral half-life, and decreased migration of neutrophils from the blood to the tissue. However, the principal cause of the neutrocytosis for each of the above mentioned agents is increased release of neutrophils from the bone marrow reserves. Since a sufficient reserve capacity is a prerequisite for optimal defenses against infections, the marrow response has been used to estimate the dose of chemotherapy expected to be tolerated without life-threatening neutropenia. However, none of the above “test substances” have gained widespread use due to adverse reactions or undesirable effects on neutrophil function. Recent progress in biotechnology has developed recombinant human (rh) hematopoietic growth factors ready for clinical use. Marrow myelopoiesis is stimulated by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (rhGM-CSF). The immediate effect, however, is mobilization of mature neutrophil granulocytes to the blood. Bone marrow cellularity seems to influence the neutrophil number mobilized during 24 hours by one subcutaneous injection of either rhG-CSF or rhGM-CSF. A recent pilot study has suggested such a “24 hour stimulation test” to predict severe neutropenia following cyclic chemotherapy. This concept is illustrated by two case reports. The “stimulation test” suggests that we may devise strategies to define patient subsets which may benefit from prophylactic growth factor administration during cyclic chemotherapy.     

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor infusion makes high-dose etoposide a safe outpatient regimen that is effective in lymphoma and myeloma patients.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) or recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) in ameliorating the extent and duration of hematologic toxicity after high-dose etoposide cancer therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma patients were treated with 2 to 2.4 g/m2 etoposide infused intravenously (IV) during a 10- to 12-hour period, followed 72 hours later by subcutaneous administration of rhGM-CSF or rhG-CSF. Hematologic toxicity was compared with that observed in 29 patients who were treated with high-dose etoposide without growth factors. RESULTS: The median duration of grade 4 neutropenia in growth factor-treated patients was 3 days, and granulocyte counts never decreased to less than 100/microL in approximately half of the patients. The corresponding figures in the control patients were 8 and 3 days, respectively (P < .0001). No effect was observed in platelet and RBC recovery. Growth factor-treated patients became eligible to receive additional myelotoxic chemotherapy a median of 5 days earlier than controls. Nonhematologic toxicity was minimal. Grade 1 mucositis was observed in two of 61 patients (3%). Antitumor activity assessed within 1 month after etoposide administration was documented in 58% of 38 assessable patients. Finally, high-dose etoposide expanded and mobilized the pool of peripheral-blood hematopoietic progenitors. CONCLUSION: The use of rhGM-CSF or rhG-CSF makes high-dose etoposide a safe outpatient regimen and should encourage the inclusion of this highly effective and well-tolerated drug in novel treatment strategies that use high-dose therapy early in the clinical course of chemosensitive tumors.     

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and low-dose cytosine arabinoside in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. A pilot study

In a pilot study, five patients with myelodysplastic syndromes with an excess of blast cells were treated with a combination of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) and low-dose cytosine-arabinoside (ara-C) in an attempt to selectively kill the leukemic blast cells and thereby to restore normal hemopoiesis. The treatment schedule consisted of three 14-day-cycles of 250 micrograms/m2 rhGM-CSF and 20 mg/m2 ara-C given daily s.c. with four-week treatment-free intervals. In all four evaluable patients the percentage of bone marrow blast cells decreased significantly with an increase in the mature myeloid cells but without bone marrow aplasia. Toxic side effects attributable to the drugs were minor with fever, mild bone pain, erythema and itching at the site of subcutaneous injection of rhGM-CSF. In conclusion, the combined therapy of rhGM-CSF and low-dose ara-C appears to be effective in the short-term control of the leukemic cell population.     

Pharmacological elimination of tumor cells contaminating normal human bone marrow using PTT-119

In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of PTT-119, a new tripeptide which is known to be a bifunctional alkylating agent, on two tumor cell lines with different origins: SK-DHL-2 (B-cell diffuse histiocytic lymphoma cell line) and RPMI 8226 (Multiple myeloma patient cell line) and compared the toxicity of PTT-119 toward normal human bone marrow granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM), erythroid (BFU-E), and pluripotent (CFU-GEM) progenitors. Reduction of at least four logs was achieved on clonogenic myeloma cells after 1 hr of treatment with 25 micrograms/mL of PTT-119 either in the presence or absence of irradiated bone marrow (BM) cells. More than three and at least four logs of lymphoma cell kill were found after 1 hr of incubation with 25 and 40 micrograms/mL of the tripeptide, respectively. PTT-119 antitumor effects on SK-DHL-2 were only slightly affected in the presence of an excess of BM cells. BM cells treated for 1 hr with 25 micrograms/mL of PTT-119 showed a mean recovery of 4.5, 3.8, and 13.8% of CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-GEM, respectively. The addition of 5- and 10-fold excesses of red blood cells (RBC) produced a slightly higher recovery of these hematopoietic progenitors. These results suggest that PTT-119 may be useful as a chemotherapeutic agent for the ex vivo treatment of bone marrow grafts.     

重组人粒-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子联合R-CHOP方案治疗初治弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤效果观察

目的:观察重组人粒-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（rhGM-CSF）联合R-CHOP方案治疗初治弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤的临床效果及安全性。方法:回顾性分析2017年2月至2019年11月海军军医大学（第二军医大学）长海医院39例接受rhGM-CSF联合R-CHOP方案及39例接受R-CHOP方案治疗的初治DLBCL患者的临床资料,比较两组患者的总反应率（ORR）、完全缓解（CR）率、总生存（OS）、无进展生存（PFS）及不良反应发生情况。结果:rhGM-CSF联合R-CHOP方案组及R-CHOP方案组的ORR分别为87.2%（34/39）、82.1%（32/39）,差异无统计学意义（ χ2=0.394, P=0.53）,CR率分别为71.8%（28/39）、56.4%（22/39）,差异亦无统计学意义（ χ2=2.006, P=0.157）。随访截至2020年9月19日,rhGM-CSF联合R-CHOP方案组生存32例,死亡7例,其中1例死于肠癌,原发病仍处于CR状态;R-CHOP方案组生存32例,死亡7例。rhGM-CSF联合R-CHOP方案组及R-CHOP方案组2年OS率分别为82.5%、73.9%（ χ2=0.038, P=0.845）,2年PFS率分别为67.1%、55.2%（ χ2=0.457, P=0.499）。亚组分析结果显示,rhGM-CSF联合R-CHOP方案组及R-CHOP方案组的生发中心B细胞型亚组间、非生发中心B细胞型亚组间、Lugano分期Ⅰ~Ⅱ期亚组间、Lugano分期Ⅲ~Ⅳ期亚组间、年龄<60岁亚组间、年龄≥60岁亚组间CR率分别比较,差异均无统计学意义（均 P>0.05）。主要不良反应为骨髓抑制及其所致感染,两组3~4级血液学不良反应及感染发生率比较,差异均无统计学意义（均 P>0.05）。予支持治疗后,所有患者均安全度过骨髓抑制期,无治疗相关死亡。 结论:rhGM-CSF联合R-CHOP方案用于初治DLBCL患者安全有效。     

Discordant response or progression in patients with myeloma treated with thalidomide-based regimens

Thalidomide-based regimens (TBR) are now widely used for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma and have shown significant activity in newly diagnosed patients. In some patients with secretory disease, we observed discrepancies between the reduction of the monoclonal protein levels and the plasma cell infiltration in the bone marrow and/or extramedullary sites of relapse after treatment with TBR. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and analysis of this phenomenon in all myeloma patients treated with TBR in our Institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied all patients who received TBRs and had a follow up time of at least 6 months. Partial response (PR) was defined as at least 50% reduction of serum myeloma protein and soft tissue plasmacytomas and/or > 90% reduction of Bence Jones protein excretion and minor response as a > 25% reduction of the serum myeloma protein or > 50% reduction of the Bence Jones myeloma protein. RESULTS: Between July 1999 and July 2002 we treated 94 patients with advanced myeloma and 9 patients with newly diagnosed disease with TBR. Sixty-seven patients (66%) achieved either partial or minor response. In 4 patients (3 with advanced and 1 with newly diagnosed myeloma) the bone marrow was heavily infiltrated by plasma cells, despite a decrease of the paraprotein levels ranging from 38% to 68%. This discordance between monoclonal protein levels and bone marrow plasmacytosis was noted in 6% of patients rated as responders and in 11% of responding patients who actually had a repeat bone marrow assessment. Furthermore 6 responding patients, after achieving a PR which lasted between 5 and 9 months, relapsed with bone marrow (all cases), and extramedullary (2 cases) plasmacytosis, without increase of serum and/or urine monoclonal protein. This hyposecretory conversion was noted in 12.5% of relapsing patients. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that after treatment with TBR some patients with myeloma show discordant responses of the monoclonal protein levels and the bone marrow or extramedullary plasmacytosis. If our data are confirmed, they may have practical implications for assessment of response and follow up of patients treated with TBR.     

Autopsy-documented cure of multiple myeloma 14 years after M2 chemotherapy

Multiple myeloma was diagnosed in a 65-year-old woman in 1974 who thereafter received five-drug M2 chemotherapy. All protein abnormalities subsequently returned to normal and serial bone marrow studies documented complete bone marrow remission. Destructive bone lesions persisted radiographically, but did not progress. In 1987, a localized sigmoid adenocarcinoma was resected. In 1988, the patient presented with multiple brain metastases associated with a primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma that proved rapidly fatal. At autopsy, no evidence of multiple myeloma was found. This report describes the first tissue-documented cure of multiple myeloma 14 years after diagnosis and initiation of M2 chemotherapy. The possible association of multiple myeloma with other malignancies is also discussed.     

Effect of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with Hodgkin's disease: a phase I/II study.

PURPOSE: As bone marrow toxicity is the major limitation of the optimal administration of chemotherapy, we investigated whether recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) could prevent myelotoxicity or accelerate hematopoietic recovery after mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease were included in a phase I/II study in which standard MOPP chemotherapy was followed by 5 days of GM-CSF at every other cycle. Patients were entered sequentially to receive one of four dosc levels (2, 4, 8, and 16 micrograms/kg of glycoprotein; 1.4, 2.8, 5.5, and 11.0 micrograms/kg of protein) and were randomly allocated to either 24-hour continuous intravenous (IV) infusion or twice daily subcutaneous (SC) injection of rhGM-CSF. RESULTS: WBC counts (mainly neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes) were significantly higher in cycles with rhGM-CSF than in cycles with MOPP alone. The total number of days of leukopenia (WBC count less than or equal to 2.0 x 10(9)/L) and neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] less than or equal to 1.0 x 10(9)/L) was reduced in cycles with rhGM-CSF from 6.3 to 0.8 days and from 5.4 to 1.0 days, respectively. All dose levels of rhGM-CSF were effective in increasing the ANC, but only at the dose levels of 8 and 16 micrograms/kg did this significantly affect the scheduling of chemotherapy. Mild and reversible adverse reactions included low-grade fever, chest/bone pain, myalgias, erythemia, headache, fatigue, and periorbital edema. CONCLUSIONS: rhGM-CSF can be administered safely to patients with Hodgkin's disease and results in improved hematologic recovery after MOPP. Full-dose chemotherapy can be administered on time, resulting in an increase in the overall tolerated dose of myelosuppressive drugs when compared with historical controls. SC administration proved to be at least as effective as continuous IV infusion and should be preferred.     

Comparison of interleukin-6 levels in the bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients with disease severity and clonogenicity in vitro

Fifteen of 25 bone marrow aspirates from 23 patients who presented or had been treated for multiple myeloma at the Royal Marsden Hospital produced myeloma colonies (MY-CFUc) in vitro. There was no correlation between disease severity and the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bone marrow plasma nor was there any evidence that the level of IL-6 was higher in bone marrow aspirates from patients whose tumour produced MY-CFUc in vitro compared with those who did not. The mean level of IL-6 in the whole group of patients was 0.41 ng/ml (range 0.1-0.66 ng/ml), a value similar to that found in plasma from normal donor bone marrow, 0.42 ng/ml (range 0.14-0.62 ng/ml). Separation of peripheral blood cells from serum 24 h after collection, compared with 2 h after collection, resulted in a substantial increase of IL-6 in the serum. The results suggest that levels of IL-6 in bone marrow plasma is not a monitor of disease severity in multiple myeloma (MM) and that the collection and separation of blood and/or bone marrow samples into the cellular and aqueous components should be performed using standardized conditions to minimize inter-sample variation resulting from the release of IL-6 from the cellular components.     

Granulocyte-colony-stimulating Factor Enhances the Circulating Hematopoietic Progenitors in Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Cisplatin-containing Regimens

A phase II study examining the effects of human recombinant granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the growth of colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) in the bone marrow and in the peripheral blood was performed in lung cancer patients treated with cisplatin-containing regimens. Treatment with G-CSF following chemotherapy significantly increased the absolute granulocyte count. No significant effect of G-CSF on either the platelet or the red blood cell count was observed. Treatment with G-CSF did not affect the CFU-GM levels in the bone marrow, but did have a significant effect on peripheral blood CFU-GM levels 14 days after initiation of chemotherapy (J°<0.05). Four patients demonstrated a rebound increase in the level of peripheral blood CFU-GM during the first course of chemotherapy without G-CSF. In contrast, eight patients displayed increase in peripheral blood CFU-GM levels during the second course of chemotherapy with G-CSF treatment. These findings demonstrate that G-CSF is a potent stimulator of granulocyte proliferation as well as a potent agent for promoting transport of hematopoietic progenitors from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood.     

多发性骨髓瘤患者Survivin、VEGF表达及其相关性

目的:研究多发性骨髓瘤（MM）患者血清及骨髓Survivin、VEGF表达及意义。方法:酶联免疫法（ELASA）检测60例初诊多发性骨髓瘤患者及30例对照组患者血清Survivin、VEGF表达情况;免疫细胞化学法（SABC法）检测骨髓单个核细胞中Survivin、VEGF阳性率。酶联免疫法（ELASA）检测VAD联合沙利度胺治疗4周期后患者血清Survivin、VEGF水平,与治疗前比较。结果:初诊多发性骨髓瘤患者血清Survivin、VEGF表达水平较对照组明显升高;初诊骨髓瘤患者骨髓单个核细胞Survivin、VEGF阳性率较对照组明显提高;经统计学分析,P＜0.05,差异有统计学意义。治疗后患者,血清Survivin、VEGF在不同疗效组有差异,疗效良好组与疗效较差组差异比较,P＜0.05。骨髓中Survivin与VEGF表达阳性率呈正相关,与疾病疗效呈负相关。结论:Survivin及VEGF在多发性骨髓瘤患者中表达增加,二者表达水平与疾病疗效密切相关。二者存在协同关系,可作为评估疗效、预后指标。     

Elevated level of plasma basic fibroblast growth factor in multiple myeloma correlates with increased disease activity.

Recent reports that bone marrow angiogenesis is increased in multiple myeloma prompted us to examine plasma concentrations of angiogenic growth factors and to elucidate their clinical and biological significance. In 45 cases including 36 cases of multiple myeloma and 9 cases of monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS), plasma concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated. FGF-2 was significantly elevated in 25 out of 45 (56%) of the patients with multiple myeloma compared with control subjects (median 9.01 pg ml vs. 1.58 pg/ml, P < 0.0001). The 25 cases were all active multiple myeloma, and none of the non-active myeloma and MGUS patients showed a high FGF-2 level. VEGF level was also elevated in 26 out of 45 patients (58%) compared with control subjects (median 42.0 pg/ml vs. 15.8 pg/ml, P < 0.0001 for VEGF). VEGF concentration was high in 20 active myelomas, but also in one non-active myeloma and five MGUS. Elevation of FGF-2 level was associated with beta2-microglobulin level, anemia and bone marrow plasma cell percentage, which represent disease activity. Interestingly, none of five Bence-Jones type myelomas, including four clinically active cases, revealed a high plasma FGF-2 level, while all of them showed a high VEGF level. In all five responders, the plasma FGF-2 levels were significantly decreased after chemotherapy. FGF-2 was immunohistochemically detected in the bone marrow myeloma cells of the patients with high plasma FGF-2 level. We conclude that plasma concentration of FGF-2 can be a useful indicator of disease activity.