Stimulation of erythropoiesis by thalidomide in multiple myeloma patients: its influence on FasL, TRAIL and their receptors on erythroblasts

Abstract

The expression of proteins of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family on erythroblasts was measured during thalidomide treatment in 29 patients with multiple myeloma (MM). A clinical response was observed in 17 patients (58.6%) and haemoglobin concentration increased in 22 patients (75.9%). The expression of FasL, Fas, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and TRAIL-R1 on erythroblasts decreased significantly during thalidomide treatment. Additional in vitro studies revealed that the apoptosis of erythroblasts and the expression of FasL, TRAIL, TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 was lower in cultures with thalidomide than in control cultures. Altogether our results suggest that thalidomide may stimulate erythropoiesis in MM patients by decreasing the expression of TNF-like ligands/receptors on erythroblasts.