We next evaluated the GITR mRNA expression levels in MM patients-derived CDC138 cells, using publically available gene expression data sets (GSE5900; GSE2658); and found a significant reduction of GITR expression in MM samples, compared to healthy individuals, and interestingly, we found a sustained reduced expression of GITR with disease progression, as shown by comparing MG, US to smoldering MM to active symptomatic MM patients (Figure 2a; P<0.001). This evidence concerns the gene TNFRSF18 and myasthenia gravis.