Beginning May 8, 2006, the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory of the Department of Pathology will offer serum kappa and lambda light chain quantitation as well as the calculated ratio. Recent literature has shown that over 90% of patients with monoclonal gammopathy produce free light chains. The assay has been shown to be useful in predicting response to therapy in myeloma and amyloidosis patients. It has also been shown to be useful in predicting progression in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS).

The test requires 0.5 mL of serum and will be performed on Tuesday and Friday. Samples must be in the laboratory by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Reference ranges and other information can be found in the online Laboratory Services Handbook. The charge is $50.00 for each assay. Questions can be directed to Ronald Feld, Ph.D. (6-1759).


References:
Gertz MA, Lacy MQ, Dispenzieri A, Hayman SR. Amyloidosis: diagnosis and management. Clinical Lymphoma & Myeloma 6(3):208-219, 2005.

Matsuda M, Yamada T, Gono T, Shimojima Y, Ishii W, Fushimi T, Sakashita K, Koike K, Ikeda S. Serum levels of free light chain before and after chemotherapy in primary systemic AL amyloidosis. Internal Medicine 44:428-433, 2005.

Rajkuma SV. MGUS and smoldering multiple myeloma: update on pathogenesis, natural history, and management. Hematology 340-345, 2005.

Bakshi NA, Bulbranson R, Garstka D, Bradwell AR, Keren DF. Serum free light chain (FLC) measurement can aid capillary zone electrophoresis in detecting subtle FLC-producing M proteins. American Journal of Clinical Pathology 124:214-218, 2005.

Nowrousian MR, Brandhorst D, Sammet C, Kellert M, Daniels R, Schuett P, Poser M, Mueller S, Ebeling P, Welt A, Bradwell AR, Buttkereit U, Opalka B, Flasshove M, Moritz T, Seeber S. Serum free light chain analysis and urine immunofixation electrophoresis in patients with multiple myeloma. Clinical Cancer Research 11(24):8706-8714, 2005.