Sequential development of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and gamma-1-heavy chain disease in a single patient. Clinical, immunochemical, immunofluorescent and protein studies.
The present paper deals with the rare phenomenon of the sequential development of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) and gamma 1-heavy chain disease (gamma 1-HCD) in a single patient. The coexistence of both monoclonal proteins lasted for more than 9 years. Serial determinations were made of serum levels of IgM, IgA, intact IgG, and the gamma-HCD protein. Immunofluorescent studies of a bone marrow aspirate confirmed the diagnosis of an IgM(kappa) monoclonal gammopathy and also showed cells which were thought to synthesize the gamma-HCD protein. The molecular weight of the gamma-HCD protein was 60,000 in the dimeric form. It is concluded that the original IgM(kappa) monoclonal gammopathy predisposed the patient for a second lymphoproliferative disorder (the gamma-HCD) and that both monoclonal proteins are immunogenetically unrelated.
D000368:Aged; D001536:Bence Jones Protein / Q000032:analysis; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006362:Heavy Chain Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007142:Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
D007142:Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains; D001536:Bence Jones Protein