[Niki]

Oligoclonal gammopathy prior and post second transplant

by Niki on Wed Apr 09, 2014 9:29 am

Hello everybody,

25 days ago i had my second stem cell transplant exactly 11 months after my first stem cell transplant. The reason that i proceeded to the second transplant is that after the first transplant i developer gammopathy IgG Kappa and lambda, which was different than the initial finding which was a Kappa Bence Jones Gammopathy. So 14 days after the second transplant, we performed a serum immunofixation and the IgG Kappa and Lambda is still there.

All my other exams are still normal without any sign of myeloma. Could that be a sign that my myeloma is coming back? My initial diagnosis was Stage 2 Kappa light chain myeloma.

Best regards
Niki

[Dr. Adam Cohen]

Re: Oligoclonal gammopathy prior and post second transplant

by Dr. Adam Cohen on Wed Apr 09, 2014 9:21 pm

Niki,

Patients can often develop oligoclonal bands on the SPEP and serum immunofixation after a stem cell transplant. This usually just reflects the recovery of the immune system from the high dose chemotherapy, and does not necessarily mean the disease is coming back. These oligoclonal bands can persist for months to even a year after a transplant and they usually resolve. Some studies suggest that patients who develop the oligoclonal bands actually have longer remissions than those who don't. So I wouldn't worry about them, especially so soon after your transplant, but would just keep following the tests for now.

[Niki]

Re: Oligoclonal gammopathy prior and post second transplant

by Niki on Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:05 am

Thank you very much for your response, Dr. Cohen. I really appreciate it. I understand your point. I will keep following the tests for now.

If it's a good sign (immune response), it is going to resolve, but if it is a bad sign, how soon I will know it?