The immunological phenotype and proliferative activity of the tumor lymphocytes in multiple myeloma

: An immunological phenotype of blood lymphocytes and proliferative activity of tumor cells were studied using a panel of monoclonal antibodies to lymphocyte differential antigens and tracer 3H-thymidine, respectively, in 84 patients with multiple myeloma. CD-19 and CD38 antigens were identified as markers for circulating tumor lymphocytes. The count of CD38+ and CD71+lymphocytes correlated with the count of marrow plasmocytes including 3H-thymidine in the disease recurrence. Proliferative parameters of blood lymphocytes, plasmocytes and lymphocytes of the bone marrow were identical being, consequently, elements of the same tumor clone.