Haematologica 2003 - Supplements

minimum target cell dose (≥ 4x106 CD34+ cells/kg). It is
concluded that orally administered THAL-DEX as primary
therapy for MM has definite antitumor activity and doesn’t seem
to adversely affect subsequent collection of PBSC. Based on
these preliminary observations, THAL-DEX deserves further
investigation as an alternative to combined chemotherapy (i.e.
VAD) administered in an attempt reduce myeloma cell mass,
particularly in patients who are candidates to autotransplant(s).
Supported in part by MIUR, progetto FIRB RBAU012E9A_001
(M. Cavo), Università di Bologna, Progetti di Ricerca ex-60%
(M. Cavo) and Fondazione Carisbo.
350
In vitro activity of s-thalidomide against multiple
myeloma cells: a gene and protein expression profile.
Jim Malpas*1,2, Tracy Chaplin2, Anita Sanmugathasan2
and Wai Liu1.
1New Drug Study Group and 2Dept Medical Oncology, St
Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK.
Background: Thalidomide has proven efficacy in multiple
myeloma. However, its mode of action is unclear, and it may be
anti-angiogenic or may promote apoptosis. We have investigated
the changes to the expression of genes involved with these
cellular processes following culture with thalidomide in the
multiple myeloma U266 MM cell line. Methods: Cells were
cultured with s-thalidomide (0 - 1000 µM: Cellgene Corp., USA),
and cell parameters, including apoptosis, were assessed on day 3.
RNA was also extracted from cells cultured for 24 hr with IC50
of s-thalidomide, and their gene expression profiles established
by microarray methodologies. Results: Reductions in cell
viability was observed in U266 cells cultured with s-thalidomide
(IC50: 357 µM), which were mirrored by significant increases in
apoptosis (day 3: 9.3 ± 0.6% vs. 3.3 ± 0.9% on day 0; p