T cells in multiple myeloma: is this a reliable population to count on as antitumor effector cells?

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is still a long way from being cured. Disease evolution has been associated with a number of phenotypic and functional alterations in T cells, indicating that a progressive deterioration of cellular immunity might facilitate the negative outcome. Despite these correlations, specific interactions between tumor and T cells have been demonstrated indicating that a population liable to be exploited as antitumor effector cells exists in vivo. This review aims at recording some evidence obtained in our laboratory demonstrating that MM T cells, despite the variety of their alterations, can still generate potent antitumor activity. Adequate stimulation, however, is required to exploit this ability.