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Presence of monoclonal free light chains in the serum predicts risk of progression in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Author(s) -
Rajkumar S. Vincent,
Kyle Robert A.,
Therneau Terry M.,
Clark Raynell J.,
Bradwell Arthur R.,
Melton L. Joseph,
Larson Dirk R.,
Plevak Matthew F.,
Katzmann Jerry A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2004.05169.x
Subject(s) - monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance , multiple myeloma , medicine , malignancy , monoclonal , immunoglobulin light chain , confidence interval , risk factor , monoclonal antibody , gastroenterology , pathology , oncology , immunology , antibody
Summary We hypothesized that the presence of monoclonal free light chains (FLC) in the serum of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a marker of clonal evolution and a risk factor for progression. Forty‐seven patients with MGUS and documented progression to myeloma or related malignancy were compared with 50 age‐ and gender‐matched patients with MGUS and no evidence of progression after 5 or more years of follow‐up. The presence of an abnormal kappa/lambda FLC ratio in the serum was associated with a higher risk of MGUS progression (relative risk 2·5; 95% confidence interval: 1·6–4·0; P < 0·001).