Abnormal monoclonal antibody‐defined helper/suppressor T‐cell subpopulations in multiple myeloma: relationship to treatment and clinical stage

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Abstract
Summary. Among peripheral blood T cells from 2 5 patients with myeloma, % 0KT8 + suppressor cells were increased in all but two patients (mean 63 ±12%; normal 34 ±8%), but were present in normal absolute numbers (mean 0.5 ±0.3 × 109/1; normal range 0.2–0.6 × 109/1)- OKT4+ helper cells were reduced in relative and absolute numbers (mean 40 ±12%, 0.3 ±0.2 × 109/1; normal 64 ±8%, 0.6·1.4 × 1091). Similar results were obtained in treated and untreated cases, and in patients of different clinical stage. In the 12 patients tested, γ Fc-rosetting T cells were present in normal numbers (mean 28 ±10%; normal 34±10%). In four patients with IgM disease, similar, but less marked, changes in monoclonal antibody-defined T-cell subsets were observed. The findings are discussed in relation to those in other B-cell malignancies, and it is suggested that imbalances of OKT4 + helper/OKT8+ suppressor cells may be important in the immune suppression of many of these disorders.