Changes of free light chains in urine in case of gammopathy

抄録

We have developed a latex agglutination immunoassay method for free light chains of immunoglobulins in urine and clarified its clinical significance. Bence Jones protein, which was qualitatively detected in urine with the traditional immunoelectrophoresis, could be quantitatively determined by this method. The free light chain determination was useful for diagnosis and prognosis of multiple myeloma that is associated with monoclonal free light chains. The increase in monoclonal free light chains in urine was found in patients with primary macroglobulinemia, primary amyloidosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. These results suggest that free light chains in urine are important markers for multiple myeloma and related diseases in clinical practice.