Laboratory persistence and clinical progression of small monoclonal abnormalities

Am J Clin Pathol. 2012 Oct;138(4):609-13. doi: 10.1309/AJCPT6OWWMHITA1Y.

Abstract

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) that presents with no quantifiable M spike on immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) can be termed IFE MGUS. We retrospectively identified patients with IFE MGUS who were monitored with at least 1 subsequent assessment that included an IFE, and evaluated the persistence of the monoclonal protein and the progression of disease. Although the monoclonal proteins persisted in the majority of patients, 16% did not experience this persistence, and had no documented immunomodulatory therapy. After a median follow-up of 3.9 years, the disease clinically progressed in 14 patients (3.2%). Eight of these 14 patients with clinical progression had an immunoglobulin (Ig) A IFE M protein and 6 had an IgG M protein. This study demonstrates that in some patients with IFE MGUS, the M proteins are transient and that IgA IFE MGUS is more likely to persist and progress to myeloma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Disease Progression
  • Electrophoresis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology*
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / diagnosis*
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin M