Impact of nestin analysis in multiple myeloma.

Nestin, a marker of multipotent precursor cells, is an important dynamic structure; its polymerization/depolymerization influences intracellular signaling and participates in key cell processes such as proliferation, migration and cell survival. It is presumed that nestin plays a central role in carcinogenesis. It is suggested that nestin might be a suitable diagnostic and prognostic indicator of malignancy and a potential marker of cancer stem cells. Unexpectedly, nestin has been identified in mature CD138+CD38+ plasma cells (PC) of multiple myeloma patients (MM). Expression of nestin, a marker of stem/progenitor cells, in malignant PC, that are considered to be terminally differentiated, indicates that nestin might play a unique role in pathology of MM.