[dnalex]

Re: Impact of different M-spike after transplant on prognosi

by dnalex on Fri Aug 08, 2014 2:55 pm

Multibilly,

Since the immunoglobulin is composed of heavy and light chains, for myeloma patients who are not light chain only or non-secretory, there could be a correlation between M-spike and the free light chain, in this way (at least I understand it)

• A rise in M-Spike should also yield a rise in the involved serum light chain
• A rise in the serum involved free light chain may or may not be accompanied by a rise in M-spike, since the Freelite [free light chain] assay is more sensitive.

[Dr. Heather Landau]

Re: Impact of different M-spike after transplant on prognosi

by Dr. Heather Landau on Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:30 am

Multbilly,

You are exactly right!

These new M-spike that we see are what we call "oligoclonal", which per Webster's dictionary means "cloned or derived from one or a few cells or molecules." So this clone never proliferates to become dangerous - but rather often peters out and disappears overtime.

Again, they are thought to represent "normal" immunoglobulins that have been suppressed due to the "pathologic" clone that has taken over. Once that pathologic clone is gone, the normal immunoglobulins are at liberty to proliferate - but then eventually equilibrate.

Hope that makes a little more sense! If not let me know.

BUT ... even if it doesn't, I assure you - its all good!

[Multibilly]

Re: Impact of different M-spike after transplant on prognosi

by Multibilly on Sat Aug 09, 2014 8:26 am

Thank you Dr. Landau and Alex for clearing things up for me.

[Tracy J]

Re: Impact of different M-spike after transplant on prognosi

by Tracy J on Sun Aug 10, 2014 5:30 am

How about this:

2012 diagnosed with lambda light chain (primary) amyloidosis. Autologous stem cell transplant at Boston Medical Center with complete response. After SCT I did have a tiny kappa serum M-spike, which has remained stable throughout.

2014 diagnosed with kappa restricted oligosecretory multiple myeloma with multiple bony lesions / plasmacytomas. Lambda light chains have remained normal. Normal ratio. The tiny kappa M-spike seen after SCT has remained stable.

Help! I'm so confused!
Tracy

[Beacon Staff]

Re: Impact of different M-spike after transplant on prognosi

by Beacon Staff on Mon Aug 11, 2014 6:53 am

Hi Tracy,

Sorry to hear about all that you've been through.

It may be better for you to start a new discussion thread specifically about your situation, where you could describe a bit more about your diagnoses, treatments thus far, and the advice you've gotten about next steps. You also could then ask whatever specific question(s) you have.

Having the more detailed information here in a forum posting also could be helpful in case you need to refer back to it in later forum discussions / questions that you ask in the forum.

Thanks ... and good luck!