Expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in multiple myeloma

Riko Kitazawa, Sohei Kitazawa, Kazuyoshi Kajimoto, Hideaki Sowa, Toshitsugu Sugimoto, Tosimitsu Matsui, Kazuo Chihara, Sakan Maeda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell neoplasia often associated with multiple skeletal lesions and hypercalcemia. Several cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β), derived from myeloma cells are thought to accelerate osteoclastic bone resorption and cause hypercalcemia through a paracrine mechanism. We report on a case of a 69-year-old man with multiple myeloma associated with hypercalcemia and advanced osteolytic lesions. After bisphosphonate treatment and MP (melphalan and prednisolone) therapy, the patient's serum calcium level was successfully but transiently recovered to the normal range. Biochemical analysis showed a remarkable increase in serum parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP; 3.7 pmol/L) and IL-6 (22.0 pg/mL). On the other hand, parathyroid hormone and 1α,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 were suppressed. By immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization on aspiration-biopsied bone marrow clot sections, PTHrP mRNA and protein were detected in the cytoplasm of myeloma cells. The rate of PTHrP-positive myeloma cells was estimated to be at least one-third. Since PTHrP can, as an endocrine factor, systemically act on bone and kidney, hypercalcemia in this case might have been caused through both local osteolytic hypercalcemia and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy mechanisms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)63-68
Number of pages6
JournalPathology International
Volume52
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Hypercalcemia
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In situ hybridization
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP)

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