Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Annual Blood Tests Recommended for Patients with MGUS

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 29 Jul 2019
Individuals with low-risk or intermediate-risk monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) can convert to high-risk MGUS and progress to multiple myeloma within five years, a finding that supports the need for annual blood testing and risk assessment for all individuals with MGUS or light-chain MGUS.

MGUS is a plasma cell disorder in which plasma cells or other types of antibody-producing cells secrete an abnormal antibody (myeloma protein) into the blood. More...
This abnormal protein is usually found in the blood and/or urine during standard laboratory blood or urine tests. MGUS resembles multiple myeloma and similar diseases, but the levels of antibodies are lower, the number of plasma cells (white blood cells that secrete antibodies) in the bone marrow is lower, and it rarely has symptoms or major problems. However, since MGUS can lead to multiple myeloma, which develops at the rate of about 1.5% a year, yearly monitoring has been recommended.

Investigators at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY, USA) wondered whether it was possible to trace changes in serum immune markers as MGUS progressed to multiple myeloma. To answer this question, the investigators used serial blood samples to examine blood-based immune markers associated with progression from MGUS to multiple myeloma.

The investigators analyzed serum protein and monoclonal immunoglobulin levels, serum free light chains, and serum light chains within each immunoglobulin class in 3266 serum samples from a cohort of 685 individuals with a diagnosis of progressing or stable MGUS. The participants in this analysis were taking part in the National Cancer Institute Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (NCI-PLCO) cancer screening trial, a prospective study that followed 77,469 people, ages 55 to 74 years old, who were all cancer free at the time of enrollment.

Results of longitudinal analysis of individuals with serial samples prior to progression showed that 23 of 43 (53%) had high-risk MGUS before progression, and 16 of these 23 (70%) experienced conversion from low-risk or intermediate-risk MGUS to multiple myeloma within five years. Similar results were found for light-chain MGUS. Evolving monoclonal proteins, serum-free light chains, and immunosuppression were associated with disease progression.

“This study based on prospectively collected samples helps us to better understand the findings of the prior retrospective studies,” said first author Dr. Ola Landgren, chief of myeloma service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “Previously reported annual risk of progression from MGUS to multiple myeloma of 0.5% to 1% reflected the average risk among all MGUS cases but were not applicable to individual patients. In the current study, we found that the risk of progression is not constant. Our data indicates that individuals with low-risk or intermediate-risk MGUS can convert to high-risk MGUS and progress to multiple myeloma within a five-year window. This finding has direct clinical relevance and supports annual blood tests for all individuals diagnosed with MGUS or light-chain MGUS, and, importantly, yearly re-assessment of a patient’s clinical-risk status.”

The study was published in the July 18, 2019, online edition of the journal JAMA Oncology.

Related Links:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center


Gold Member
Flocked Fiber Swabs
Puritan® Patented HydraFlock®
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
HBV DNA Test
GENERIC HBV VIRAL LOAD VER 2.0
New
Automated Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer
MS-i3080
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: PD-1 protein blockade is the standard treatment for advanced melanoma among the different types of immunotherapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Precision Tool Predicts Immunotherapy Treatment Failure in Melanoma Patients

Melanoma, though accounting for only about 4% of skin tumors, is the deadliest form of skin cancer due to its high potential to metastasize. While immunotherapy, especially PD-1 protein blockade, has revolutionized... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Virtual staining of label-free tissue in imaging mass spectrometry (Photo courtesy of Ozcan Lab/UCLA)

Deep Learning Advances Imaging Mass Spectrometry with Virtual Histological Detail

Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a powerful technique that can map thousands of molecular species in biological tissues with exceptional chemical specificity. However, IMS is hindered by relatively low... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Alzheimer’s Association has released its first clinical practice guideline for blood-based biomarker tests (Photo courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association)

New Clinical Guidelines Recommend Use of Blood Tests Instead of Brain Scans for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that remains challenging to diagnose early and accurately, particularly in individuals with cognitive impairment. Despite the availability... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.