Expression of γδ T cells and lymphocyte subsets in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients
image: Percentage of γδ T cells increased in multiple myeloma patients. (A) gating for γδ T cells in multiple myeloma patients; (B) gating for γδ T cells in healthy controls.
Credit: Juan Huang, Ping-ting Pu 1, Xu Wang, Rui-xin Sun, Xiang-yi Zhao, Ling-yuan Feng, Zi-zhen Xu.
Key Points:
1. Study Focus
Investigated γδ T cells and lymphocyte subsets in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients.
Compared 55 MM patients (staged I–III) with 30 healthy controls using flow cytometry.
2. Key Findings
γδ T cells: Significantly elevated in MM patients (P < 0.001), highest in stage III, and correlated with disease progression.
Lymphocyte subsets:
- Increased CD8⁺ T cells (P < 0.01).
- Decreased CD19⁺ B cells, CD3⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio (P < 0.05).
Diagnostic value: γδ T cell percentage showed high accuracy (AUC = 0.973) for MM prediction.
3. Clinical Implications
γδ T cells and CD8⁺ T cells may drive MM progression, while B cell depletion reflects immune dysfunction.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and white blood cell count (WBC) varied by disease stage.
4. Limitations
Small sample size (especially stage I: *n* = 4).
Single-center retrospective design; lacks mechanistic validation.
5. Future Directions
Expand multicenter studies to validate γδ T cells as a diagnostic biomarker.
Explore γδ T cell-targeted immunotherapies for MM.
Conclusion:γδ T cells and altered lymphocyte subsets are linked to MM immune dysregulation and staging. γδ T cells show promise as a diagnostic tool, warranting further research for therapeutic applications.