T Cells in Multiple Myeloma: Is This a Reliable Population to Count on as Antitumor Effector Cells?

Abstract

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is still a long way from being cured. Disease evolution has been associated with a number of phenotypic and functional alterations in T cells, indicating that a progressive deterioration of cellular immunity might facilitate the negative outcome. Despite these correlations, specific interactions between tumor and T cells have been demonstrated indicating that a population liable to be exploited as antitumor effector cells exists in vivo. This review aims at recording some evidence obtained in our laboratory demonstrating that MM T cells, despite the variety of their alterations, can still generate potent antitumor activity. Adequate stimulation, however, is required to exploit this ability.

Key Words:

• multiple myeloma
• T cells
• immunosurveillance
• immunotherapy