In multiple myeloma increased thrombopoietin (Tpo) production may be involved in the maintenance of platelet production

Citation
Cc. Folman et al., In multiple myeloma increased thrombopoietin (Tpo) production may be involved in the maintenance of platelet production, EUR J HAEMA, 66(5), 2001, pp. 337-341
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Hematology,"Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
Journal title
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
ISSN journal
09024441 → ACNP
Volume
66
Issue
5
Year of publication
2001
Pages
337 - 341
Database
ISI
SICI code
0902-4441(200105)66:5<337:IMMIT(>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
In multiple myeloma (MM), suppression of haematopoiesis occurs as a result of expansion of malignant cells in the bone marrow. Thrombopoietin (Tpo) le vels in patients with impaired platelet production are generally found to b e highly elevated. To examine the circulating Tpo levels in patients with M M, Tpo levels were measured in 50 serum samples from 34 patients. Tpo level s were subsequently related to disease stage, and cell numbers and markers, i.e. platelet count, leukocyte count and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration. E levated Tpo levels were found in association with decreased platelet counts (n=8), but also in patients with normal platelet counts (n = 14). The latt er group included patients without and with signs of impaired haematopoiesi s, i.e. with decreased Hb concentration and decreased leukocyte count. Thes e results show that neither platelet counts nor Tpo levels are reliable par ameters to judge bone-marrow failure in patients with MM. Furthermore, in p atients with MM, increased Tpo levels may play a role in the maintenance of thrombocytopoiesis. The origin of the increased Tpo levels remains to be d etermined.