Serum platelet factor 4 is a promising predictor in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma treated with thalidomide and VAD regimens

摘要

Objective: Frequent loss of expression of platelet factor 4 (PF4) in multiple myeloma (MM) wasrevealed in several previous researches. The predictive analysis of serum PF4 level in newlydiagnosed MM has not been well elucidated. This study is to assess if serum PF4 could be aprognostic factor in predicting treatment response and survival of MM treated withthalidomide and VAD regimens.Methods: Sera of 122 MM were gained pre- and post-treatment of chemotherapy and oralthalidomide. Serological PF4 measurements were performed by ELISA. Kaplan–Meier methodwas employed for survival analysis. Log rank test was used significance analysis. Multivariateanalysis of overall survival used Cox-regression.Results: Our data showed that the median serum PF4 concentration was negatively associatedwith MM response and a significant correlation between serum PF4 level and unfavorableclinical features (β2-microglobulin, ISS stage, del17p and creatinine). MM with lower serumPF4 concentration at diagnosis were prone to gain complete remission and very good partialremission after two courses of chemotherapy. Besides del17p, β2-microglobulin, treatmentresponse, the low serum PF4 concentration was an independent variable associated with apoor overall survival by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis.Conclusions: We speculate serum PF4 is a promising response and prognostic factor in newlydiagnosed MM treated with thalidomide and VAD regimens.