Stimulation of erythropoiesis by thalidomide in multiple myeloma patients: its influence on FasL, TRAIL and their receptors on erythroblasts

Haematologica. 2006 Mar;91(3):386-9.

Abstract

The expression of proteins of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family on erythroblasts was measured during thalidomide treatment in 29 patients with multiple myeloma (MM). A clinical response was observed in 17 patients (58.6%) and haemoglobin concentration increased in 22 patients (75.9%). The expression of FasL, Fas, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and TRAIL-R1 on erythroblasts decreased significantly during thalidomide treatment. Additional in vitro studies revealed that the apoptosis of erythroblasts and the expression of FasL, TRAIL, TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 was lower in cultures with thalidomide than in control cultures. Altogether our results suggest that thalidomide may stimulate erythropoiesis in MM patients by decreasing the expression of TNF-like ligands/receptors on erythroblasts.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / blood
  • Erythroblasts / drug effects
  • Erythroblasts / metabolism*
  • Erythropoiesis / drug effects*
  • Erythropoiesis / physiology
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / blood
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Thalidomide / pharmacology*
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors / blood

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • FASLG protein, human
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • TNFRSF10A protein, human
  • TNFRSF10B protein, human
  • TNFSF10 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Tumor Necrosis Factors
  • Thalidomide