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Interlaboratory study of free monoclonal immunoglobulin light chain quantification.
- Source :
-
Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine [Clin Chem Lab Med] 2011 Jan; Vol. 49 (1), pp. 89-92. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Oct 29. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Background: Quantification of monoclonal immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) in serum is used increasingly in clinical practice for the diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and treatment monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies. It is used as an adjunct to standard serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation. However, methods for FLC quantification need further standardization and validation.<br />Methods: The Czech Myeloma Group and the Czech Society of Clinical Biochemistry have initiated an interlaboratory study where six laboratories collaborating with the primary myeloma treatment centres measured FLC concentrations in 12 serum samples from patients with monoclonal gammopathies.<br />Results: Repeatability of the measurements in five laboratories was calculated based on differences between the results of duplicate measurements. We found that repeatability depended more on the laboratory than on the device used for measurement.<br />Conclusions: The study revealed several weak points in the methodology, including the need for a uniform sample dilution procedure. Interlaboratory reproducibility was comparable with values achieved in the NEQAS programme. Because the κ/λ ratio cannot be measured with high precision, κ and λ FLC concentrations should be used where possible. Due to its impact on the clinical management of patients with gammopathy, FLC quantification needs to become a part of the regular quality control cycle in myeloma centres.
- Subjects :
- Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Clinical Laboratory Techniques methods
Clinical Laboratory Techniques standards
Female
Humans
Immunoglobulin Light Chains blood
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Myeloma blood
Paraproteinemias blood
Reference Standards
Immunoglobulin Light Chains analysis
Multiple Myeloma diagnosis
Paraproteinemias diagnosis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1437-4331
- Volume :
- 49
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 21034251
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1515/CCLM.2011.019