| Approximately 15% of MM patients have only monoclonal free light chain and no monoclonal intact immunoglobulin secreted by the malignant clone. These patients are difficult to diagnose as they frequently show no abnormality when tested by Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE). For this reason it has historically been recommended that a 24 hour urine collection is tested for the presence of monoclonal free light chains. However, urine tests for free light chains can be negative early in the disease as the capacity for reabsorption of light chains by the kidneys must be exceeded before free light chains appear in the urine. |
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Other contributory factors to the inherent difficulty of the urine assay are patient compliance to a 24 hour urine collection together with inaccuracy and poor precision of the technique itself. Freelite® is a suitable alternative to 24-hour urine testing in the diagnosis and monitoring of light chain multiple myeloma.
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The serum free light chain proved sensitive enough for correlation with clinical events. |
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Using serum as the test medium can overcome the problems typically encountered in urine assays. In a recent study, serum measurements of free light chains were used to detect 100% of patients with LCMM.1
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Freelite® is a valuable tool at all stages of patient management. It is useful when screening to support an initial diagnosis and can be used throughout treatment management as a reliable monitoring tool.
- Bradwell AR, et al. Serum test for assessment of patients with Bence Jones myeloma. Lancet 2003; 361:489-491
- Alyanakian MA, et al. Free Immunoglobulin Light-Chain Serum Levels in the Follow-up of Patients With Monoclonal Gammopathies: Correlation With 24-hr Urinary Light-Chain Excretion. Am J Hematol 2004; 75:246-248
