A Unique Role of T Helper 17 Cells in Different Treatment Stages of Multiple Myeloma.

BACKGROUND

T helper 17 (Th17) cells are a subset of CD4-positive T cells, which secrete interleukin 17 and specifically express the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors γt gene. Recently, Studies have shown that the level of Th17 cells in peripheral blood of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients is significantly higher than that of healthy persons. Th17 cells play an important role in the immune microenvironment of MM and interact with tumor cells, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts. Th17 cells might be a potential therapeutic target for MM patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, we further tracked the levels of Th17 cells in peripheral blood of 56 patients with MM from newly diagnosed to partial remission to complete remission to relapse and 11 healthy donors.

RESULTS

The level of Th17 cells increased further when the disease reached partial remission, decreased to normal level when it reached complete remission, and increased again when the disease recurred. In addition, we also found that in newly diagnosed MM patients, Th17 cell levels fluctuated greatly; not all patients were upregulated, and patients with normal Th17 cell levels had the highest chance of complete remission.

CONCLUSION

Th17 cells contribute to the stratification of different treatment stages of MM patients. The level of Th17 cells in patients with newly diagnosed MM is associated with the treatment outcome of complete remission.