Evaluation of CD45 antigen expression in patients with multiple myeloma and its effect on time to progression or relapse
Abstract
Multiple myeloma is one of the most common haematological diseases with a variable course; aggressive or indolent chronic forms are typical. Prognostic stratification is specified with regard to cytogenetic findings (including new methodologies and flow cytometry).
CD 45 antigen could be one of prognostic factors which specify the risk of disease already at the stage of diagnosis. 71 patients in our study group were divided according to the intensity of CD 45 expression and the group with lower CD 45 expression had significantly higher risk of relapse within 12 months 62 % vs. 25 % (p = 0.0011). There was no significant difference in the demographic parameters (age, sex), 1st line treatment with autologous transplantation, and complete remissions after 1st line treatment or cytogenetic findings.
We believe that the CD 45 expression could become one of the prognostic factors or one of the factors that determine maintenance therapy in patients with multiple myeloma. We recommend a larger group verification or multi-centre study.