We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

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
Troponin T QC
Troponin T Quality Control
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Mini Vortex Mixer
Vornado
New
Droplet Digital PCR System
QX600 AutoDG
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: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Custom hardware and software for the real-time detection of immune cell biophysical signatures in NICU (Photo courtesy of Pediatric Research, DOI:10.1038/s41390-025-03952-y)

First-Of-Its-Kind Device Profiles Newborns' Immune Function Using Single Blood Drop

Premature infants are highly susceptible to severe and life-threatening conditions, such as sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Newborn sepsis, which is a bloodstream infection occurring in the... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Mimix Reference Standards are cell-line derived to maintain genomic complexity and mimic patient material across molecular diagnostics workflows (Photo courtesy of Revvity)

New Cancer Testing Standards to Improve Diagnostic Accuracy for Oncology Labs

Accurate diagnosis, including the identification of genomic markers, is essential for determining the most effective cancer treatments for patients. To ensure this, laboratories require reliable reference... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The second-generation sampler currently under development (Photo courtesy of Breathe BioMedical)

Breath Test to Enable Early Detection of Breast Cancer

Mammograms often fail to detect breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue, missing up to 60% of cases due to reduced image clarity. Breath analytics has the potential to allow for timely detection... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.