Volumen: 7 # Number : 3
Publication Date : Noviembre - Diciembre Year: 2003
Authors: Alejandra S. H. Cotillar, Estela M. Pedrazzini, Claudia Corrado, María I. Engelberguer, Marina Narbaitz, Irma R. Slavutsky
Abstract: Objective: Telomeres are assencial for maintaining chromosomal integrity and sensibility. In this work we studied telomere length (TL) on bone marrow (BM) cells from patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS). Material and Methods: Thirty-one MM patients (pts): 12 at diagnosis (D), 11 at relapse (R), and 8 at remission (RE) and 2 MGUS were studies. TL was evaluated using terminal restriction fragment (TRF) assay. Cytogenetic and FISH analyses were performed. Telomeric associations (Tas) were also studied. Results: TRF analysis in MM showed a mean value (5.20±0.35Kb) shorter than controls (8.5±0.5Kb) (p<0.001). Moreover, D and R pts showed telomere shortening (p<0.001), with TL restored at RE. A strong correlation with the percentage of BM plasma cells (BMPC) (rK=-0,540;p=0,002) was found. Patients with abnormal karyotypes (AK) and shorter TRFs in MGUS patients did not differ respecto to controls. TAs were increased in MM pts (19,46±1,98%) as compared to MGUS (6,12±1,87%) and normal BM (2,00±0,93%) (p<0,001). Conclusions: MM patients showed TL reduction, particulary related to >60% of BMPC and AK, suggestion an association with clinical outcome. Moreover, our findings support the fact that telomere shortening might lead to an increased frequency of Tas and chromosome instability.
Key words: Mutiple Myeloma, MGUS, telomeres, Telomere Length, telomeric association.
Pages : 176-182
|
