MM patients can be classified according to their monoclonal protein type, i.e. intact immunoglobulin MM (IIMM), light chain MM (LCMM) and nonsecretory MM (NSMM).
International Myeloma Working Group Guidelines recommend baseline Freelite serum free light chain (FLC) laboratory test results for all patients with MM to provide prognostic information. They are also recommended for monitoring of oligosecretory MM patients and IIMM patients (to detect relapse with free light chains only).
Monitoring with Hevylite laboratory tests allows improved management of Intact Immunoglobulin MM patients
MM patients are thought to have multiple distinct tumour clones that may express intact immunoglobulin, FLCs, both, or rarely, neither. Different clones may be present at diagnosis and/or evolve during the course of disease. Monitoring patients with a combination of Freelite and Hevylite provides information on these changing clones.
Serum Free light chain measurement alongside serum protein electrophoresis recommended by NICE to indicate the possible presence of myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.