RESUMO
The importance of isoelectric focusing of serum proteins was studied in 35 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: multiple myeloma--10 patients, chronic lymphatic leukemia--5 patients, other non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma--20 patients. 30 clinically healthy persons were also examined as controls. By isoelectric focusing the images with monoclonal immunoglobulins differ from those with polyclonal immunoglobulins. Using this method paraproteinemia was found in 19 patients (54%): in all patients with multiple myeloma 2 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia and 3 patients with other non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma. By electrophoresis on cellulose acetate folia paraprotein was found in 13 patients only. In the remaining patients, in whom monoclonal immunoglobulin was found only by isoelectric focusing, the electrophoresis, total serum protein, IgA and IgM did not show pathologic deviations. The IgG values were normal or borderline. The isoelectric focusing exceeds the other methods in informative value. Further study is necessary in order to confirm the diagnostic and prognostic value of isoelectric focusing in non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma.
