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An online educational resource with continuously updated information on serum free light chain and Hevylite® analysis.
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Freelite® serum free light chains can be identified in 68% of NSMM patients.
By definition with current methods, between 1% and 3% of all patients with multiple myeloma have been characterised as nonsecretory multiple myeloma. These patients have no detectable paraprotein in serum or urine of intact immunoglobulin or free light chain. Until recently, diagnosis and monitoring of NSMM has relied on clinical assessment and bone marrow biopsy.
However, in a recent study1 19/28 patients categorised as NSMM were found to have abnormal Freelite® free kappa/lambda ratios. A further 4 patients had suppression of either free kappa, free lambda or both. This means that for the first time there is a tumour marker available for monitoring treatment and disease progress in these patients.
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Changes in serum free light chain concentrations and clinical status in 6 patients with nonsecretory Myeloma (Numbers identify each patient). Blood: journal of the American Society of Hematology Copyright 2001 by AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY (ASH). Reproduced with permission of AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY (ASH) in the format Internet posting via Copyright Clearance Center. |
Published uniform response criteria for multiple myeloma (2006) mentioned that the sensitivity of the free light chain assay enables assessment of response in Nonsecretory Multiple Myeloma patients, allowing them to be included in clinical trials.2
Summary
- Freelite® improves the precision of monitoring patients with NSMM compared to current methods
- The number of bone marrow biopsies for this group of patients may be reduced
Patient Management
Patient ManagementFreelite® is a valuable tool at all stages of patient management. It is useful when screening to support an initial diagnosis. It adds valuable prognosis information and can be used throughout treatment management as a reliable monitoring tool.
- Drayson M, et al. Serum free light-chain measurements for identifying and monitoring patients with nonsecretory multiple myeloma. Blood 2001; 97:2900-2902 Request your copy - code MKG183
- Durie BGM, et al. International uniform response criteria for multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2006; 20:1467-1473 Request your copy - code MKG320
