title: Demonstration of changes in plasma cell subsets in multiple myeloma.
abstract: Increases in free light chain (FLC) production are associated with disease progression in multiple myeloma (MM). Using a double immunofluorescence staining method to produce a differential count of plasma cells in bone marrow, single populations were demonstrated, containing intact monoclonal immunoglobulins (M-Igs) in 74% and FLCs only in 8% of cases. However, 18% contained a mixture of both cell populations. Progression from cells making intact M-Ig to cells restricted to FLC only production occurred in individual cases during the course of their disease. The presence of FLC only cells was associated with shortened survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, St Helier Hospital Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, Surrey, UK. michael.ayliffe@onetel.net
authors.forename: Michael John
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ayliffe
authors.forename: Faith Elizabeth
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: Gareth John
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000473:pathology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D002452:Cell Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000032:analysis; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000032:analysis; D007952:Leukemia, Plasma Cell / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology*; D009194:Myeloma Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification*; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; D009194:Myeloma Proteins