title: Efficient removal of immunoglobulin free light chains by hemodialysis for multiple myeloma: in vitro and in vivo studies.
abstract: Of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, approximately 10% have dialysis-dependent acute renal failure, with cast nephropathy, caused by monoclonal free light chains (FLC). Of these, 80 to 90% require long-term renal replacement therapy. Early treatment by plasma exchange reduces serum FLC concentrations, but randomized, controlled trials have shown no evidence of renal recovery. This outcome can be explained by the low efficiency of the procedure. A model of FLC production, distribution, and metabolism in patients with myeloma indicated that plasma exchange might remove only 25% of the total amount during a 3-wk period. For increasing FLC removal, extended hemodialysis with a protein-leaking dialyzer was used. In vitro studies indicated that the Gambro HCO 1100 dialyzer was the most efficient of seven tested. Model calculations suggested that it might remove 90% of FLC during 3 wk. This dialyzer then was evaluated in eight patients with myeloma and renal failure. Serum FLC reduced by 35 to 70% within 2 hr, but reduction rates slowed as extravascular re-equilibration occurred. FLC concentrations rebounded on successive days unless chemotherapy was effective. Five additional patients with acute renal failure that was caused by cast nephropathy then were treated aggressively, and three became dialysis independent. A total of 1.7 kg of FLC was removed from one patient during 6 wk. Extended hemodialysis with the Gambro HCO 1100 dialyzer allowed continuous, safe removal of FLC in large amounts. Proof of clinical value now will require larger studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, QEMC, Birmingham, B15 2TH UK. me@colinhutchison.com
authors.forename: Colin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hutchison
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cockwell
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: Graham P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Mead
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hattersley
authors.forename: Neil D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Mike J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chappell
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goehl
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Storr
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bradwell
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains