Journal of Medical Biochemistry (Jan 2010)
Recommendations for use of free light chain assay in monoclonal gammopathies
Abstract
The serum immunoglobulin free light chain assay measures levels of free k and l immunoglobulin light chains. There are three major indications for the free light chain assay in the evaluation and management of multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders. In the context of screening, the serum free light chain assay in combination with serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation yields high sensitivity, and negates the need for 24-hour urine studies for diagnoses other than light chain amyloidosis. Second, the baseline free light chains measurement is of major prognostic value in virtually every plasma cell disorder. Third, the free light chain assay allows for quantitative monitoring of patients with oligosecretory plasma cell disorders, including AL, oligosecretory myeloma, and nearly two- thirds of patients who had previously been deemed to have non-secretory myeloma. In AL patients, serial free light chains measurements outperform protein electrophoresis and immunofixation. In oligosecretory myeloma patients, although not formally validated, serial free light chains measurements reduce the need for frequent bone marrow biopsies. In contrast, there are no data to support using free light chain assay in place of 24-hour urine electrophoresis for monitoring or for serial measurements in plasma cell disorders with measurable disease by serum or urine electrophoresis.
