Increased Numbers of T Helper 17 Cells and the Correlation with Clinicopathological Characteristics in Multiple Myeloma

OBJECTIVE: T helper 17 (Th17) cells play important roles in adaptive immunity and are involved in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, but little is known about their role in tumour immunity. The current study investigated the involvement of Th17 cells in multiple myeloma. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to investigate the frequencies of Th17 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 30 patients with multiple myeloma and from 14 healthy control subjects. The concentrations of Th17-associated cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-17, IL-10 and IL-23) were measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There was a significantly increased proportion of Th17 cells, and increased plasma concentrations of Th17-associated cytokines, in patients with multiple myeloma compared with healthy controls. There was a significant relationship between the proportion of Th17 cells and clinical tumour stage, serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration and serum creatinine concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Th17 cells might be important therapeutic targets in multiple myeloma and could facilitate a better outcome for tumour immunotherapy.