Detection of serum free light chain and its clinical significance in nonsecretory multiple myeloma.
- Author:
Hai-Fei CHEN
1
;
Jian HOU
;
Zhen-Gang YUAN
;
Dong-Xing WANG
;
Wei-Jun FU
;
Yu-Bao CHEN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin Light Chains; blood; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma; blood; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; Sensitivity and Specificity
- From: Chinese Journal of Hematology 2008;29(2):113-116
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical significance of serum free light chain (sFLC) levels in nonsecretory multiple myeloma (NSMM).
METHODSNine NSMM patients were hospitalized in our department from Feb 2002 to Sep 2006 and no M-components was found in their serum and urine by immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). sFLC was assayed by immuno-nephelometry. The clonality of sFLC was estimated by serum kappa:lambda sFLC ratio. Meanwhile, serum immunoglobulin, total kappa and lambda light chain level were also determined in these patients.
RESULTSIncreased serum concentrations of either kappa or lambda sFLC (and abnormal kappa/lambda ratios) were detected in 6 of 9 patients with NSMM although their serum immunoglobulin levels were not elevated and total kappa:lambda light chain ratios (1.32 - 2.20) were in the reference range. All the 9 patients had clonal IgH gene rearrangements.
CONCLUSIONQuantification of sFLC by immuno-nephelometry is more sensitive than that of serum total light chain measurement and is helpful in estimating the clonality of the light chain in patients with NSMM.
