Regulatory T Cells (Treg) Are Depressed in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM) and Increases towards Normal Range in Responding Patients Treated with Lenalidomide (LEN)

Abstract

Abstract CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a group of immune-suppressive T cells responsible for the maintenance of self-tolerance and autoimmunity. Increased Tregs have been implicated in suppression of tumour-immunity, and are associated with poor prognosis in gastric, oesophageal and ovarian cancers. Conversely, reduced Tregs are associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis in lymphoproliferative disorders such as follicular lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Meanwhile, conflicting literature exists with regards to the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM). Lenalidomide (LEN) is an immunomodulatory drug (ImiD™) that increases T cell nu..