1. Monoclonal free light chain detection and quantification: Performances and limits of available laboratory assays
- Author
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C. Fania, Paolo Brambilla, Cecilia Sarto, Valerio Leoni, Rinaldo Brivio, Jari Intra, Sarto, C, Intra, J, Fania, C, Brivio, R, Brambilla, P, and Leoni, V
- Subjects
030213 general clinical medicine ,Laboratory method ,Computer science ,Clinical Biochemistry ,Paraproteinemias ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Immunoglobulin light chain ,Mass Spectrometry ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Electrophoresi ,medicine ,Humans ,Immunoassay ,Laboratory methods ,Chromatography ,Monoclonal gammopathy ,Free light chain ,General Medicine ,Clinical Laboratory Services ,Free Light Chain ,Monoclonal ,Biological Assay ,Immunoglobulin Light Chains ,medicine.symptom ,Bence Jones Protein - Abstract
The detection and quantification of immunoglobulin free light chains in serum and urine is recommended for the diagnosis and monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies according to the guidelines of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG). Several tests are currently available in the clinical laboratory to detect and quantify free light chains but although quality, efficiency, and effectiveness have been improved, the results are still variable and poorly harmonized and standardized. The present review article wants to analyze these aspects, with a keen eye on techniques, such as mass spectrometry, that could replace in the practical clinical laboratory the current methods including Bence-Jones protein assay and free light chain immunoassays.
- Published
- 2021