Sensitive Method Detects Free Monoclonal Light Chains in Serum
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 26 Oct 2021 |
|
Image: The Optilite Clinical Chemistry Protein Analyzer (Photo courtesy of The Binding Site)
Neoplastic monoclonal gammopathies (NMG) consist of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), asymptomatic or smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) and multiple/plasma cell myeloma (MM).
Multiple myeloma is a malignant tumor of plasma cells and is generally associated with synthesis and secretion of monoclonal immunoglobulins by tumor cells. MM is the commonest hematologic malignancy in adults. Higher levels of serum free monoclonal light chains (SFLC) have been observed to result in shorter survival, perhaps through induction of renal damage.
Clinical Pathologists at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (Atlanta, GA, USA) investigated a sensitive method for detecting free monoclonal light chains in serum that could provide a marker for residual/minimal residual disease and as an adjunct to serum protein electrophoresis to serve as a screening method for monoclonal gammopathies.
Quantification of SFLC was conducted by using kits procured from The Binding Site and assayed with an Optilite analyzer (Birmingham, UK). Rabbit polyclonal antisera to kappa and lambda free light chains were procured from SEBIA Inc. (Norcross, GA, USA). Residual clinical serum samples were assessed for monoclonal SFLC by a modified serum immunofixation protein electrophoresis (SIFE) procedure (the Modified SIFE was designated FLC-Modified SIFE). Results from this modified immunofixation electrophoresis were compared with results from commercially available MASS-FIX/MALDI assay (Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Rochester, MN, USA).
The scientists reported that monoclonal free kappa light chains could be detected to a concentration of about 1.78 mg/L and monoclonal free lambda light chains to a concentration of about 1.15 mg/L without the need for special equipment. Comparison of these thresholds with parallel results from a commercially available MASS-FIX/MALDI assay revealed the modified electrophoretic method to be more sensitive in the context of free monoclonal light chains. FLC-Modified SIFE revealed monoclonal light chains in agreement with the expected findings, given a patient's diagnosis and immunoglobulin type determined by conventional SPEP and SIFE.
The authors concluded that modified serum immunofixation electrophoresis has been shown to detect low levels of monoclonal free light chains at a sensitivity suitable for the method to be used in detecting minimal residual disease, and potentially in a screening assay for monoclonal gammopathies. The disparity in the results with commercially available MASS-FIX/MALDI assay is postulated to be due to limited repertoire of reactivity of nanobodies of camelid origin. The study was published on October 12, 2021 in the journal Practical Laboratory Medicine.
Related Links:
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
The Binding Site
SEBIA Inc
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Multiple myeloma is a malignant tumor of plasma cells and is generally associated with synthesis and secretion of monoclonal immunoglobulins by tumor cells. MM is the commonest hematologic malignancy in adults. Higher levels of serum free monoclonal light chains (SFLC) have been observed to result in shorter survival, perhaps through induction of renal damage.
Clinical Pathologists at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (Atlanta, GA, USA) investigated a sensitive method for detecting free monoclonal light chains in serum that could provide a marker for residual/minimal residual disease and as an adjunct to serum protein electrophoresis to serve as a screening method for monoclonal gammopathies.
Quantification of SFLC was conducted by using kits procured from The Binding Site and assayed with an Optilite analyzer (Birmingham, UK). Rabbit polyclonal antisera to kappa and lambda free light chains were procured from SEBIA Inc. (Norcross, GA, USA). Residual clinical serum samples were assessed for monoclonal SFLC by a modified serum immunofixation protein electrophoresis (SIFE) procedure (the Modified SIFE was designated FLC-Modified SIFE). Results from this modified immunofixation electrophoresis were compared with results from commercially available MASS-FIX/MALDI assay (Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Rochester, MN, USA).
The scientists reported that monoclonal free kappa light chains could be detected to a concentration of about 1.78 mg/L and monoclonal free lambda light chains to a concentration of about 1.15 mg/L without the need for special equipment. Comparison of these thresholds with parallel results from a commercially available MASS-FIX/MALDI assay revealed the modified electrophoretic method to be more sensitive in the context of free monoclonal light chains. FLC-Modified SIFE revealed monoclonal light chains in agreement with the expected findings, given a patient's diagnosis and immunoglobulin type determined by conventional SPEP and SIFE.
The authors concluded that modified serum immunofixation electrophoresis has been shown to detect low levels of monoclonal free light chains at a sensitivity suitable for the method to be used in detecting minimal residual disease, and potentially in a screening assay for monoclonal gammopathies. The disparity in the results with commercially available MASS-FIX/MALDI assay is postulated to be due to limited repertoire of reactivity of nanobodies of camelid origin. The study was published on October 12, 2021 in the journal Practical Laboratory Medicine.
Related Links:
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
The Binding Site
SEBIA Inc
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV
Latest Immunology News
- Diagnostic Blood Test for Cellular Rejection after Organ Transplant Could Replace Surgical Biopsies
- AI Tool Precisely Matches Cancer Drugs to Patients Using Information from Each Tumor Cell
- Genetic Testing Combined With Personalized Drug Screening On Tumor Samples to Revolutionize Cancer Treatment
- Testing Method Could Help More Patients Receive Right Cancer Treatment
- Groundbreaking Test Monitors Radiation Therapy Toxicity in Cancer Patients
- State-Of-The Art Techniques to Investigate Immune Response in Deadly Strep A Infections
- Novel Immunoassays Enable Early Diagnosis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- New Test Could Predict Immunotherapy Success for Broader Range Of Cancers
- Simple Blood Protein Tests Predict CAR T Outcomes for Lymphoma Patients
- Cell Sorter Chip Technology to Pave Way for Immune Profiling at POC
- Chip Monitors Cancer Cells in Blood Samples to Assess Treatment Effectiveness
- Automated Immunohematology Approaches Can Resolve Transplant Incompatibility
- AI Leverages Tumor Genetics to Predict Patient Response to Chemotherapy
- World’s First Portable, Non-Invasive WBC Monitoring Device to Eliminate Need for Blood Draw
- Predictive T-Cell Test Detects Immune Response to Viruses Even Before Antibodies Form
- Single Blood Draw to Detect Immune Cells Present Months before Flu Infection Can Predict Symptoms
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models
Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more.jpg "Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)")
POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection
Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more
Highly Reliable Cell-Based Assay Enables Accurate Diagnosis of Endocrine Diseases
The conventional methods for measuring free cortisol, the body's stress hormone, from blood or saliva are quite demanding and require sample processing. The most common method, therefore, involves collecting... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Advanced Blood Test to Spot Alzheimer's Before Progression to Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is well known for its slow development over many years, which typically leads to treatment interventions only after the disease has advanced to stages where it may be nearly impossible... Read more
Multi-Omic Noninvasive Urine-Based DNA Test to Improve Bladder Cancer Detection
Hematuria, the presence of blood in urine, is commonly associated with bladder cancer and is its most frequent symptom. Current guidelines recommend referring patients with hematuria to urology for clinical... Read more.jpg "Image: The fastGEN BCR::ABL1 Cancer kit offers a way to personalize treatment strategies for leukemia (Photo courtesy of BioVendor MDx)")
First of Its Kind NGS Assay for Precise Detection of BCR::ABL1 Fusion Gene to Enable Personalized Leukemia Treatment
The BCR::ABL1 fusion gene plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several blood cancers, particularly chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This gene results from a chromosomal translocation that causes constitutive... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Diagnostic Blood Test for Cellular Rejection after Organ Transplant Could Replace Surgical Biopsies
Transplanted organs constantly face the risk of being rejected by the recipient's immune system which differentiates self from non-self using T cells and B cells. T cells are commonly associated with acute... Read more
AI Tool Precisely Matches Cancer Drugs to Patients Using Information from Each Tumor Cell
Current strategies for matching cancer patients with specific treatments often depend on bulk sequencing of tumor DNA and RNA, which provides an average profile from all cells within a tumor sample.... Read more
Genetic Testing Combined With Personalized Drug Screening On Tumor Samples to Revolutionize Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment typically adheres to a standard of care—established, statistically validated regimens that are effective for the majority of patients. However, the disease’s inherent variability means... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
Automated Sepsis Test System Enables Rapid Diagnosis for Patients with Severe Bloodstream Infections
Sepsis affects up to 50 million people globally each year, with bacteraemia, formerly known as blood poisoning, being a major cause. In the United States alone, approximately two million individuals are... Read more
Enhanced Rapid Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Solution Detects Broad Range of Infectious Diseases
GenMark Diagnostics (Carlsbad, CA, USA), a member of the Roche Group (Basel, Switzerland), has rebranded its ePlex® system as the cobas eplex system. This rebranding under the globally renowned cobas name... Read more
Clinical Decision Support Software a Game-Changer in Antimicrobial Resistance Battle
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global public health concern that claims millions of lives every year. It primarily results from the inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics, which reduces... Read more
Pathology
view channel
New Blood Test Device Modeled on Leeches to Help Diagnose Malaria
Many individuals have a fear of needles, making the experience of having blood drawn from their arm particularly distressing. An alternative method involves taking blood from the fingertip or earlobe,... Read more
Robotic Blood Drawing Device to Revolutionize Sample Collection for Diagnostic Testing
Blood drawing is performed billions of times each year worldwide, playing a critical role in diagnostic procedures. Despite its importance, clinical laboratories are dealing with significant staff shortages,... Read more.jpg "Image: The Aperio GT 450 DX has received US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Leica Biosystems)")
Use of DICOM Images for Pathology Diagnostics Marks Significant Step towards Standardization
Digital pathology is rapidly becoming a key aspect of modern healthcare, transforming the practice of pathology as laboratories worldwide adopt this advanced technology. Digital pathology systems allow... Read more
First of Its Kind Universal Tool to Revolutionize Sample Collection for Diagnostic Tests
The COVID pandemic has dramatically reshaped the perception of diagnostics. Post the pandemic, a groundbreaking device that combines sample collection and processing into a single, easy-to-use disposable... Read moreTechnology
view channel
New Diagnostic System Achieves PCR Testing Accuracy
While PCR tests are the gold standard of accuracy for virology testing, they come with limitations such as complexity, the need for skilled lab operators, and longer result times. They also require complex... Read more
DNA Biosensor Enables Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), recognized for its potential to form two-dimensional nanosheets like graphene, is a material that's increasingly catching the eye of the scientific community.... Read more
Self-Heating Microfluidic Devices Can Detect Diseases in Tiny Blood or Fluid Samples
Microfluidics, which are miniature devices that control the flow of liquids and facilitate chemical reactions, play a key role in disease detection from small samples of blood or other fluids.... Read more
Breakthrough in Diagnostic Technology Could Make On-The-Spot Testing Widely Accessible
Home testing gained significant importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet the availability of rapid tests is limited, and most of them can only drive one liquid across the strip, leading to continued... Read moreIndustry
view channel_1.jpg "Image: Thermo Fisher will distribute Bio-Techne products across Europe (Photo courtesy of 123RF)")
Thermo Fisher and Bio-Techne Enter Into Strategic Distribution Agreement for Europe
Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, MA USA) has entered into a strategic distribution agreement with Bio-Techne Corporation (Minneapolis, MN, USA), resulting in a significant collaboration between two industry... Read more
ECCMID Congress Name Changes to ESCMID Global
Over the last few years, the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID, Basel, Switzerland) has evolved remarkably. The society is now stronger and broader than ever before... Read more
