Free Light Chains Article
from "The Binding Site"
Myeloma is characterised by excessive numbers of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow and overproduction of monoclonal intact (whole) immunoglobulin. This monoclonal Immunoglobulin is more commonly known to myeloma patients as paraprotein.
Immunoglobulin are made up of protein chains, 2 long chains called heavy chains and 2 shorter chains known as light chains.
There are five different types of whole immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgD, IgM or IgE).
Although a high level of paraprotein in the blood is a hallmark of myeloma, about 15% to 20% of patients produce an excess of the light chain portion of the immunoglobulin (also know as Bence Jones protein after the physician who discovered them).
These patients are said to have light chain or Bence Jones myeloma. In these patients, the paraprotein is detectable primarily in the urine, rather than in the blood.
Bence Jones proteins will not be detected by routine analysis. A more complex test called immuno fixation electrophoresis can detect the presence of Bence Jones protein in the urine.
A rare form of myeloma called non-secretary myeloma affects 1% - 3% of myeloma patients. In such patients, neither the intact or free light chain proteins can be detected in the serum or urine. However, many of these patients do secrete small amounts of free light chain which can be detected in the blood using the new, more sensitive serum free light chain assay.
People with Light Chain and non-secretary myeloma often are at risk of an incorrect or delayed diagnosis and can experience problems in the effective monitoring of their disease.
The serum free light chain assay is a new, more rapid, more accurate and more convenient test to detect and monitor free light chains in patients with myeloma. This simple, sensitive blood test has been found to be of particular value for patients with Bence Jones and non-secretary Myeloma.
It is a highly specific assay for serum free light chains (applicable to urine as well).
Not affected by renal function. 24 hour urine collection will be unnecessary.
Highly sensitive – 100 times more sensitive than IFE.
Provides a quantitative result(IFE/SPE is subjective)
It is a rapid, easy to use automated method.
“Freelite” is a unique test developed as the first sensitive, specific, nephelometric/turbidometric latex assay for serum freelight chain quantification to enhance detection and monitoring of Amyloidosis, NSMM, LCMM, MGUS and Intact MM.
For more information see: http://www.bindingsite.co.uk/alamyloidosis-40.asp