Multiple myeloma (MM) is a blood cancer that starts with one or more changes to the DNA of a single stem cell in the bone marrow. We offer dedicated SEBIA analyzers and reagents for small to large laboratories to diagnose and monitor MM.
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that starts with one or more changes to the DNA of a single stem cell in the bone marrow. If not treated, the myeloma cells can:
1. crowd out functioning white cells, and the immune system can’t guard against infection effectively.
2. secrete high levels of protein in the blood and urine, which can lead to kidney damage.
3. build up in bone, causing it to weaken, which can lead to a painful bone and fractures.
The immunoglobulin (Ig) is produced by myeloma cells is abnormal because all of the paraproteins are monoclonal (identical), which means they are identical clones of a single plasma cell. Also called M-proteins, they crowd out the functional Igs and other components of the immune system, making too much of one type and reducing the ability for the body to create a wide spectrum of immunoglobulins to fight infections. SEBIA serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is a test to measure the total amount of immunoglobulin in the blood and find any abnormal immunoglobulins. Immunofixation or immunotyping is for specifying the exact type of antibody that is abnormal (IgG, IgA or some other type). Finding a monoclonal immunoglobulin in the blood considered as the first step in making the diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
