Detection of monoclonal IGH rearrangements in circulating cells from healthy first-degree relatives of patients with multiple myeloma

Med Oncol. 2014 Apr;31(4):900. doi: 10.1007/s12032-014-0900-0. Epub 2014 Mar 1.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by abnormal proliferation of clonal plasma cells or monoclonal plasmacytosis, resulting in accumulation of clonal immunoglobulins. Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) is considered a premorbid stage for developing MM. Studies have shown an increased risk of MGUS in first-degree relatives of patients with MM. Detection of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IGH) rearrangement provides a useful tool for assessing clonality. The aim of this study was to determine clonality in peripheral blood samples from 61 healthy first-degree relatives of MM probands by sorting circulating lymphocytes and detection of the IGH rearrangements in these cells. We detected 16 out of 61 (26.2%) relatives with monoclonal complete and incomplete IGH rearrangements; only three of them showed elevated monoclonal immunoglobulin in the serum protein electrophoresis. We conclude that this strategy is able to identify efficiently clonality in peripheral blood samples from first-degree relatives of patients with MM, who have a non-negligible risk of developing MGUS or other plasma cell dyscrasias.

MeSH terms

  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / metabolism
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Separation
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary
  • Family Health
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Rearrangement*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology*
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating
  • Plasma Cells / cytology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1