title: Factor VIII complex in myelomatosis and related disorders.
abstract: The behaviour of the factor VIII/von Willebrand factor complex (VIII:C, VIIIR:Ag and VIIIR:RCof) was investigated in 23 patients with secretory myeloma, in 2 patients with non-secretory myeloma and in 5 patients with macroglobulinemia. In most patients (21 of 25 patients with plasma cell myeloma and 2 of 5 patients with macroglobulinemia) VIIIR:Ag was increased usually without corresponding increases in VIII:C and VIIIR:RCof. There was no correlation between the VIIIR:Ag levels and paraprotein Ig type or level nor with the presence or the absence of Bence Jones proteins in serum and urine. Furthermore, increased levels of VIIIR:Ag were found in patients with non-secretory myeloma. In general, VIIIR:Ag was higher in patients with extensive bone lesions and there was a significant correlation between cell mass and the VIIIR:Ag level. The crossed-immunoelectrophoresis of plasmas with discrepant VIIIR:Ag and VIIIR:RCof showed variation from the normal pattern.
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000097:blood; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D005169:Factor VIII