Biochemical tests for the presence of free light chains (FLCs) are used to indicate a possible diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM). Most guidelines recommend measurement of urinary FLCs; however, recent research indicates that the presence of FLCs in blood might be a better indicator. In 113 patients with newly diagnosed MM, 100% had measurable κ/λ light chain ratios that involved FLCs in blood samples, compared with only 64% in urine samples. Furthermore, a finding of abnormal serum κ/λ light chain ratio was found to predict inferior overall survival. These data demonstrate that FLCs in blood, not urine, should be measured in patients with suspected MM.
References
Dejoie, T. et al. Serum free light chains should be the target of response evaluation in light chain multiple myeloma rather than urines. Blood http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood-2016-07-726778 (2016).
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Sidaway, P. Free light chains should be monitored in blood. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 14, 3 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.178
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.178