Kappa Free Light Chain Multiple Myeloma

There are 2 types of light chains called kappa and lambda.

Kappa free light chain multiple myeloma.

The serum free light chain test can be used to determine light chain levels of disease so patients will want to track their light chain numbers. The two types of light protein chains are kappa κ and. Igm ige and igd types have one much lower incidence. Learn more about kappa and lambda light chains and multiple myeloma.

Healthy blood cells produce antibodies that help to fight infection. Understanding free light chain assays. The various immunoglobulins have different functions in the body. Each immunoglobulin is made up of two heavy chains and two light chains.

Each of these immunoglobulins have a light chain like kappa or lambda and a heavy chain like igg iga igm etc. In this patient power segment host dr. One of the key markers that myeloma doctors pay attention to are 1 the involved light chain for your type of myeloma kappa or lambda and 2 the kappa lambda light chain ratio. Susan leclair discusses what kappa light chains are and answers what an increase in kappa light chain numbers might mean for a patient with myeloma.

Multiple myeloma has different types and subtypes. The second most common type is the iga myeloma also in combination with any of the two light chains. Light chain multiple myeloma is a type of multiple myeloma a cancer of the plasma cells multiple myeloma begins in the bone marrow where white blood cells are formed. This means type g immunoglobulin one of the possible types of heavy chain one combination of types of light chain kappa or lambda.

65 of patients with myeloma have an igg type. The five types of heavy protein chains are g a d e and m. Leclair is a patient power host and retired. Ninety seven patients with light chain disease lcd were studied.

About 20 out of 100 people with myeloma 20 do not produce complete immunoglobulins. Kappa light chain multiple myeloma treatment multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer that begins in the bone marrow when abnormal plasma cells accumulate and crowd out healthy blood cells. They only produce part of the immunoglobulin called the light chain. Light chain myeloma sometimes called bence jones myeloma.

Leclair provides a thorough scientific breakdown of light chains and the way they work. Additional genetic testing of a patient s myeloma cells can be done to determine risk based on common genetic myeloma features. In the clip dr. The light chains can show up in the urine.

These types are based on the immunoglobulin protein produced by the myeloma cell. When the body detects an infection these white blood cells transform into plasma cells which create proteins called immunoglobulins also known as antibodies.