title: Serum free light chain analysis in multiple myeloma and plasma cell dyscrasias.
abstract: After the development of a reliable method to detect free light chains in serum, several investigations have been conducted to explore their importance in plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD). Detection of monoclonal proteins is very important in the diagnosis and management of PCD, which include a broad spectrum of diseases such as multiple myeloma and also benign, premalignant disorders like monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. The aim of this article is to summarize the recent studies and to highlight the importance of free light chain analysis in the diagnosis of PCD, its prognostic value and role in the management of this group of diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Inciralti 35340, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Guner Hayri
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Ozsan
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dispenzieri
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D054219:Neoplasms, Plasma Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains