CD20 is associated with a small mature plasma cell morphology and t(11;14) in multiple myeloma

Blood. 2003 Aug 1;102(3):1070-1. doi: 10.1182/blood-2002-11-3333. Epub 2003 Apr 17.

Abstract

CD20 has been reinvestigated in 66 patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Twelve of the patients (18%) expressed CD20, including 5 of 50 patients at diagnosis presenting 100% CD20+ cells. Seven (58%) of 12 CD20+ patients with MM had a small mature plasma cell morphology as opposed to 4 (7%) of 54 with CD20- MM (P =.0001). Of note, 10 (83%) of 12 patients with CD20+ MM had t(11;14) as opposed to 5 of 54 (9%) CD20- patients (P <.001). All the patients with 100% CD20+ cells presented with t(11;14) and 4 of 5 with a small mature plasma cell morphology. Thus, 66% of the patients with t(11;14) expressed CD20, whereas only 4% of the 51 patients lacking such translocation expressed CD20 (P <.0001). In conclusion, CD20 expression is associated with small mature plasma cell morphology and with t(11;14) in patients with MM.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD20 / analysis*
  • Cell Size
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14
  • Humans
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Plasma Cells / pathology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Translocation, Genetic*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD20