The Paraprotein - an Enduring Biomarker.

Abstract

The 'paraprotein', also known as M-protein, monoclonal protein and monoclonal component, has stood the test of time as the key biomarker in monoclonal gammopathies. It continues to reinvent itself as new electrophoretic and immunoassay methods are developed that are analytically more sensitive. Use of the serum free light chain immunoassay in particular has led to new clinical discoveries and improvements in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with plasma cell dyscrasia and other monoclonal gammopathies. In addition, minimal residual disease can be detected using mass spectrometry and flow cytometry methods.