Double CD38-/CD138- negative multiple myeloma

Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther. 2019 Mar;12(1):64-66. doi: 10.1016/j.hemonc.2017.08.003. Epub 2017 Oct 18.

Abstract

The standard diagnosis of multiple myeloma by flow cytometry is based on selection of population of CD38+/CD138+ positives cells. As the result treatment with proteasome inhibitors, CD138 may be underexpressed on atypical plasma cells. Thus, in order to improve this strategy, recently new CD138-independent method, based on CD38 positivity of plasma cells was developed. We present an unusual case of CD138- negative multiple myeloma which had become double CD138-/CD38- negative after treatment with daratumumab by which we would like to illustrate potential pitfalls of both strategies.

Keywords: CD138; CD38; Daratumumab; Flow cytometry; Multiple myeloma; Proteasome inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins*
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma* / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma* / metabolism
  • Multiple Myeloma* / pathology
  • Neoplasm Proteins*
  • Plasma Cells / metabolism
  • Plasma Cells / pathology
  • Proteasome Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Syndecan-1*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • SDC1 protein, human
  • Syndecan-1
  • daratumumab
  • CD38 protein, human
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1