Serum immunoglobulin free light chain analysis for identifying and monitoring patients with multiple myeloma and related disorders / 中国实用内科杂志

ABSTRACT

The serum immunoglobulin-free light chain (FLC) assay measures levels of free ? and ? immunoglobulin light chains and is an invaluable tool in the evaluation and management of multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders (PCD).The serum FLC assay in combination with serum protein electrophoresis (SPEL) and immunofixation yields high sensitivity of screening,and negates the need for 24 h urine studies for diagnoses other than light chain amyloidosis (AL).The baseline FLC measurement is of major prognostic value in virtually every PCD.The FLC assay allows for quantitative monitoring of patients with oligosecretory PCD,including AL,oligosecretory myeloma and non-secretory myeloma.In AL patients,serial FLC measurements outperform SPEL and immunofixation.