Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Heavy and Light Chain (HLC) Pairs, κ and λ With Ratio

Casandra

Casandra Test Code LC20302Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab LabcorpLab Test ID 123540CPT Code 83521

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Heavy and Light Chain (HLC) Pairs, κ and λ With Ratio

Also known as: Hevylite IgA, HLC IgA, IgA κ:λ HLC Ratio

Clinical Use

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Use

For the quantitative measurement of human IgA heavy chain and light chain intact immunoglobulin in serum. The result can be used when monitoring previously diagnosed IgA multiple myeloma patients and is used in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.

Special Instructions

Elevated serum concentrations of monoclonal protein are indicative of an underlying abnormality, such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), multiple myeloma, and other lymphoproliferative disorders. International guidelines recommend serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) densitometry to be performed to quantify monoclonal proteins. However, monoclonal IgA proteins can often be obscured by other proteins in the β region of a SPE gel, making quantification inaccurate.

Limitations

Decisions on patient evaluation and management must not be given on the basis of IgA κ, IgA λ, or IgA κ:IgG λ ratio measurements alone. Clinical history and other laboratory findings must be taken into account. Heavy and light chain (HLC) quantitation should be used as a complementary method to serum protein electrophoresis. The effect of therapeutic drugs on the measurement of IgA κ and IgA λ by this assay has not been evaluated. Small increases in the concentrations of monoclonal IgA proteins may not result in an altered HLC pair ratio.

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