Multiple Myeloma Lambda Light Chain Type

There are two types of light chains called kappa and lambda.

Multiple myeloma lambda light chain type.

These remain as free light chains and are released into the bloodstream. Plasma cells come from the bone marrow and they produce antibodies also called immunoglobulins that fight wide variety of infections. One of the key markers that myeloma doctors pay attention to are 1 the involved light chain for your type of myeloma kappa or lambda and 2 the kappa lambda light chain ratio. κ or λ light chains or any of the five types of heavy chains α γ δ ε or μ heavy chains.

In addition light and or heavy chains the building blocks of antibodies may be secreted in isolation. High levels of igm suggest you may have waldenstrom s macroglobulinemia. Light chain myeloma also known as light chain disease is a type of multiple myeloma in which the malignant bone marrow cells produce free monoclonal light chain proteins. Igg iga igd ige and igm.

There are five different types of these heavy chain proteins. Light chain myeloma sometimes called bence jones myeloma. While doctors may choose not to treat smoldering myeloma if it progresses to multiple myeloma a patient will receive a treatment that may include chemotherapy radiation therapy and stem cell transplants. Consequently the ratio of kappa to lambda light chains is abnormal and is a sensitive indicator for this disease.

People without evidence of a monoclonal protein may have nonsecretory myeloma not producing immunoglobulins. Kappa and lambda are the only two subtypes of light chain multiple myeloma. The most common type of m protein in myeloma is igg. Each of these immunoglobulins have a light chain like kappa or lambda and a heavy chain like igg iga igm etc.

However sometimes the body produces too many heavy chains which also causes multiple myeloma. Most people with multiple myeloma produce increased amounts of either kappa or lambda free light chains which can be measured in blood. They only produce part of the immunoglobulin called the light chain. These immunoglobulins are made up of only one type of heavy chain g a d e or m and one type of light chain kappa or lambda.

The light chains can show up in the urine. The most common type of myeloma is igg kappa. Myeloma cells make immunoglobulins. This type of myeloma is usually more severe than the classic kind.

Ninety seven patients with light chain disease lcd were studied. The median survival from diagnosis was 30 mo for 52 patients with kappa lcd and 10 mo for 45 patients with lambda lcd p less than 0 0007. A lower proportion of kappa lcd patients 15 7 than lambda lcd patients 42 2 died within. The possible types of light chains are either kappa κ or lambda λ.

There are 2 types of light chains called kappa and lambda.