T-cell Exhaustion in Multiple Myeloma Relapse after Autotransplant: Optimal Timing of Immunotherapy.

ABSTRACT: Multiple myeloma is the most common indication for high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and lenalidomide maintenance after transplant is now standard. Although lenalidomide doubles progression-free survival, almost all patients eventually relapse. Posttransplant immunotherapy to improve outcomes after ASCT therefore has great merit but first requires delineation of the dynamics of immune reconstitution. We evaluated lymphocyte composition and function after ASCT to guide optimal timing of immunotherapy and to identify potential markers of relapse. Regulatory T cells (Treg) decline as CD8(+) T cells expand during early lymphocyte recovery after ASCT, markedly reducing the Treg:CD8(+) effector T-cell ratio. These CD8(+) T cells can respond to autologous den

SUBMITTER: Chung DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4703436 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature