RESUMO
PURPOSE: To determine the role of serum levels of IL-6 and p53 mutant protein as well as of c-myc proto-oncogene alterations: a) in discriminating between benign (MGUS) and malignant Plasma cell dyscrasias (Multiple and Microsecreting Myeloma, Plasmocytoma); b) in monitoring the clinical course of malignant forms of this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients affected by Plasma cell dyscrasias (58 MGUS, 24 MM and 6 PLC) entered this study. Using commercially available ELISA kits, serum levels of IL-6 and p53 have been determined in all the patients. In addition, a selected group of patients (n = 30) was also analyzed for structural c-myc gene alterations by Southern blot technique. RESULTS: The results show that, conversely from p53 protein, IL-6 and c-myc gene may represent useful diagnostic markers for discriminating benign from malignant forms of Plasma cell dyscrasia. On the contrary, preliminary findings of the same work indicate a potential role for the mutant p53 protein in monitoring the response to chemotherapy of patients affected by MM or PLM. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these data suggest that the combined use of IL-6, p53 and c-myc may provide a new approach for a more rational management of Plasma cell dyscrasia patients.