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| 2 | 2009
Klinisk Biokemi i Norden
A taste of the scientific program
How to diagnose and monitor multiple
myeloma and related disorders
Multiple myeloma (MM) and related monoclonal
gammopathies have for decades been diagnosed and
monitored through the combined use of different
assays and techniques, such as electrophoresis and
immunofixation of serum and urine, and direct mea-
surement of immunoglobulins G, A and M. To stan-
dardize the use of these assays, guidelines have been
developed regionally, e.g. in the Nordic countries, and
internationally. Following introduction in 2002 of
methods for direct measurement of free light immu-
noglobulin chains kappa and lambda in serum, there
has been an increased debate on how now to best use
the various assays available. New knowledge led the
International Myeloma Working Group to recently
revise their guidelines (Guidelines for serum-free
light chain analysis in multiple myeloma and related
disorders, Leukemia Nov. 2008, 1-10). It now appears
that different types of gammopathy (low-secretory,
light chain or other types of MM, amyloidosis,
MGUS) and different types of situations (diagnosis,
prognosis, monitoring of treatment effect) require
different combinations of assays to be used.
In this seminar we will present the publications
underlying the guidelines given, evaluate the strength
and weakness of the various assays and discuss how
they best may be used in a cost-effective way.
Labmed 2010
News
Nr. 3
XXXII Nordic Congress in Medical Biochemistry
Facts of today - visions for tomorrow
Oslo, June 1-4 2009
General information
Find updated information on
www.labmed2010.no
Oslos nya operahus.
