Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research, ISSN 2817-6359 online, Open Access |
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Cell Mol Med Res and Elmer Press Inc |
Journal website https://cmmr.elmerpub.com |
Original Article
Volume 000, Number 000, July 2025, pages 000-000
Screening for Light Chain Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: Pseudo Epidemic Based on Current Diagnostic Criteria
Tables
UIFE | Age in years | Race | Gender | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range | Average | SD | White | Black | Hispanic | Other | Female | Male | ||
UIFE-0 specimens were from patients without any indication of monoclonal gammopathy, except isolated presence of monoclonal light chain in urine. UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. UIFE-3 specimens were from patients with ambiguous results and UIFE-4 specimens were from one patient with polymorphus sarcoma. The number of specimens for which κ/λ ratio results were available are given in parentheses. UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis. | ||||||||||
UIFE-0 (with κ/λ ratio) | 3,230 (1,740) | 18 - 96 | 61.2 | 14.6 | 1,556 | 1,505 | 46 | 123 | 1,795 | 1,435 |
UIFE-1 (with κ/λ ratio) | 1,723 (1,589) | 27 - 97 | 65.3 | 11.3 | 695 | 972 | 18 | 38 | 780 | 943 |
UIFE-3 | 42 | |||||||||
UIFE-4 | 3 | |||||||||
Total UIFE | 4,998 |
Kappa, N | Kappa, % | Lambda, N | Lambda, % | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
More than 80% of the specimens with associated serum κ/λ ratio of > 3.0 or 3.15 did not exhibit monoclonal light chains in urine, or any other evidence of a monoclonal lesion. aUIFE Neg for kappa specimen with κ/λ ratio 11.53, patient with cirrhosis and creatinine 2.17. bFurther breakdown and data on these seven specimens are presented below in Table 3. cAdditional data for this group are shown in Table 4. FMLC: free monoclonal light chain; MG: monoclonal gammopathy; SFLC: serum free light chain; UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis; UIFE-0: specimens from patients without evidence or history of MG, except solitary finding of FMLC in urine. | |||||
Total UIFE-0 with κ/λ ratio | 1,740 | ||||
κ/λ ratio of ≤ 0.25 | 7b | 0 | 0 | 3 | 42.9 |
κ/λ ratio of 0.26 to ≤ 1.65 | 1,133 | 8 | 0.7 | 13 | 1.1 |
κ/λ ratio of 1.66 to 2.99 | 547 | 13 | 2.4 | 1 | 0.2 |
κ/λ ratio of 3 to 353c | 53 | 10 | 18.8 | 0 | 0 |
κ/λ ratio of 3 to 10 | 46 | 4 | 8.7 | 0 | 0 |
κ/λ ratio of 10 to 353 | 7a | 6 | 85.7 | 0 | 0 |
κ/λ ratio 0.26 - 0.75 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 26.7 |
UIFE-0 with κ/λ ratio ≤ 0.25 | |||
---|---|---|---|
UIFE | κ/λ ratio | Gamma globulin, g/dL | Urine protein, mg/dL |
aSpecimens from same patient. One of the three urines without monoclonal lambda light chains was from a patient who had two urine specimens with monoclonal lambda light chain in urine; the serum specimens corresponding to the lambda monoclonal positive urine specimens had lower κ/λ ratios of 0.14 and 0.19 and higher urine protein levels, while the negative urine specimen was associated with a κ/λ ratio of 0.22 and lower total urine protein of ≤ 4.0 mg/dL. The negative result on UIFE for this patient was likely due to a combination low levels of free monoclonal lambda chains and a dilute urine that may not have been concentrated optimally. bThis specimen with κ/λ ratio of 0.22 and urine negative for monoclonal light chains was from a 21-year-old patient with acute myeloid leukemia treated with stem cell transplantation. FMLC: free monoclonal light chain; MG: monoclonal gammopathy; UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis; UIFE-0: specimens from patients without evidence or history of MG, except solitary finding of FMLC in urine. | |||
Negative | 0.11 | 3.54 | 33 |
Negative | 0.12 | 2.24 | 1,221 |
Lambdaa | 0.14 | 0.81 | 11 |
Lambdaa | 0.19 | 0.89 | 5 |
Lambda | 0.21 | 1.9 | 19 |
Negativea | 0.22 | 1.02 | ≤ 4 |
Negativeb | 0.22 | 0.49 | 26 |
UIFE-0 with κ/λ ratio 3 to 353 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Kappa UFLC | Negative UFLC | P value | |
Specimens with monoclonal Kappa in urine had higher dK, lower gamma globulins, and higher eGFR. The higher total protein in negative specimens may have interfered with concentration of urine. eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; FMLC: free monoclonal light chain; MG: monoclonal gammopathy; UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis; UIFE-0: specimens from patients without evidence or history of MG, except solitary finding of FMLC in urine. | |||
Average total protein | 74 | 173 | < 0.23 |
Average dK | 30.73 | 12.18 | < 0.0092 |
Average γ globulin | 0.92 | 1.82 | < 0.01 |
eGFR | 65.67 | 43.65 | < 0.023 |
UIFE in UIFE-0 and total urine protein, mg/dL | |||
---|---|---|---|
Urine protein, mg/dL | Number | UIFE positive, N | UIFE positive, % |
UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis; UIFE-0: specimens from patients without evidence or history of MG, except solitary finding of FMLC in urine. | |||
≤ 4 | 270 | 0 | 0.0 |
5 - 10 | 972 | 11 | 1.1 |
11 - 15 | 377 | 5 | 1.3 |
16 - 20 | 213 | 6 | 2.8 |
21 - 25 | 156 | 6 | 3.8 |
26 - 30 | 126 | 3 | 2.4 |
31 - 7,408 | 1,108 | 37 | 3.19 |
Total | 3,222 | 68 | 2.11 |
UIFE-1 total 1,723 (light chain type unresolved = 49)b | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kappa, N | Kappa, % | Lambda, N | Lambda, % | ||
The number and percentage of specimens exhibiting monoclonal light chains in urine. a*Upper observed limits of κ/λ ratio for kappa and lambda chain lesions, respectively. bDespite a history of prior monoclonal gammopathy, the light chain type could not be ascertained from the records as many patients were referred to this institution for consideration of autologous bone marrow transplantation and the referral materials did not include the isotype of the involved immunoglobulin and one was not ascertained at this institution. cUIFE results did not display an unambiguous monoclonal light chain band, had a biclonal or oligoclonal pattern, or displayed heavy chain only. UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis; UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. | |||||
Total UIFE-1 with κ/λ ratio | 1,589 | ||||
κ/λ ratio of < 0.25 | 222 | 0 | 0.0 | 186 | 83.8 |
κ/λ ratio of 0.26 to ≤ 1.65 | 532 | 47 | 8.8 | 108 | 20.3 |
κ/λ ratio of 1.66 to 3.0 | 257 | 65 | 25.3 | 9 | 3.5 |
κ/λ ratio of 3 to 8,285a/317a | 478 | 393 | 82.2 | 0 | 0 |
Unresolvedc | 25 | 26 |
UIFE-1 lambda | Number |
---|---|
SFLC: serum free light chain; UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis; UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. | |
Total specimens | 658 |
Specimens with SFLC data | 599 |
Lambda UIFE positive total | 329 |
Lambda UIFE positive with SFLC | 302 |
Neg UIFE for lambda | 292 |
UIFE positive for kappa | 5 |
Unresolved | 27 |
UIFE-1 lambda UIFE positive by κ/λ ratio, number and percentage | |||
---|---|---|---|
κ/λ ratio | Total in category | Number positive | Percentage positive |
UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis; UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. | |||
κ/λ ratio ≤ 0.25 | 230 | 185 | 30.9 |
κ/λ ratio 0.26 to ≤ 0.75 | 120 | 64 | 10.7 |
κ/λ ratio 0.75 to ≤ 1.65 | 195 | 44 | 7.3 |
κ/λ ratio 1.66 to 3.1 | 54 | 9 | 1.5 |
UIFE-1 lambda by net lambda (dL) | |||
---|---|---|---|
dL range | Number in category | Number positive | % positive |
Lowest dL = -8.1 with positive UIFE; lambda total level 11.65; κ/λ ratio 1.7. Lowest observed dL = -20.34, UIFE was neg; highest dL with Neg UIFE = 324.33. Lowest lambda total with pos UIFE = 0.24 Urine IgG L. UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis; UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. | |||
dL ≤ 1 | 273 | 64 | 10.7 |
dL 1 - 2 | 30 | 16 | 2.7 |
dL 2 - 3 | 26 | 11 | 1.8 |
dL ≥ 3.0 | 270 | 214 | 35.7 |
dL 3 - 10 | 78 | 53 | 8.8 |
UIFE-1 lambda and total urine protein, mg/dL | |||
---|---|---|---|
Urine protein, mg/dL | Number in category | Number positive | % positive |
The kappa marked with * was IgG kappa. Other kappas were monoclonal kappa light chain bands. UIFE: urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis; UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. | |||
≤ 4.0 | 54 | 5 | 9.3 |
5 to 10 | 171 | 41 + 1K* | 24.0 |
11 to 15 | 52 | 30 + 3K | 57.7 |
16 to 20 | 42 | 23 | 54.8 |
21 to 25 | 42 | 22 + 1K | 59.1 |
26 to 30 | 22 | 13 | 59.1 |
31 to 5,445 | 267 | 192 | 71.9 |
UIFE-1 kappa | Number |
---|---|
SFLC: serum free light chain; UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. | |
Total specimens | 1,024 |
Specimens with SFLC data | 946 |
Kappa UIFE positive total | 544 |
Kappa UIFE positive with SFLC | 502 |
Neg UIFE for kappa | 450 |
UIFE positive for lambda | 0 |
Unresolved | 30 |
UIFE-1 kappa UIFE positive by κ/λ ratio, % from total of 946 | |||
---|---|---|---|
κ/λ ratio | Number in category | Number positive | Percentage positive |
aPositive for both Kappa and Lambda monoclonal light chains with kappa being the dominant band. UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. | |||
κ/λ ratio ≤ 0.25 | 1 | 1a | 100.0 |
κ/λ ratio ≤ 0.75 | 19 | 1 | 5.3 |
κ/λ ratio ≤ 1.65 | 222 | 45 | 19.4 |
κ/λ ratio 1.66 to 2.99 | 162 | 104 | 63.6 |
κ/λ ratio 3 - 10 | 214 | 63 | 29.9 |
κ/λ ratio 10 - 8,285 | 328 | 290 | 88.4 |
κ/λ ratio 3 - 8,285 | 542 | 353 | 65.1 |
UIFE-1 kappa by net kappa (dK) | |||
---|---|---|---|
dK range | Number in category | Number positive | % positive |
Lowest dK = -44.72 with positive UIFE; kappa total level 6.46; κ/λ ratio 0.13. Lowest observed dK = -44.72, UIFE was positive for both kappa and lambda. Highest dK with Neg UIFE = 317.3. Lowest kappa total with pos UIFE = 0.23 Urine IgG kappa. UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. | |||
dK ≤ 1 | 296 | 61 | 20.6 |
dK 1 - 2 | 103 | 28 | 27.2 |
dK 2 - 3 | 66 | 29 | 43.9 |
dK 3.0 - 6,280 | 483 | 384 | 79.5 |
dK 3 - 10 | 162 | 92 | 56.8 |
UIFE-1 kappa; total urine protein, mg/dL, N = 1,024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Urine protein, mg/dL | Number in category | Number positive | % positive |
UIFE-1 specimens were from patients with extant monoclonal gammopathy or history of monoclonal gammopathy. | |||
≤ 4 | 94 | 7 | 7.4 |
5 to 10 | 259 | 69 | 26.6 |
11 to 15 | 114 | 47 | 41.2 |
16 to 20 | 87 | 56 | 64.4 |
20 to 25 | 56 | 40 | 71.4 |
26 to 30 | 40 | 28 | 70.0 |
31 to 4,880 | 374 | 297 | 79.4 |
Estimate | Std. error | z value | U Pr. (> |z|) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Intercept) | -4.678425 | 0.279579 | -16.734 | < 2 × 10-16*** | |||
U Pr. | -0.006437 | 0.00261 | -2.466 | 0.0137* | |||
Lambda | 0.088108 | 0.021271 | 4.142 | 3.44 × 10-5*** | |||
Ratio | 0.52679 | 0.097425 | 5.407 | 6.40 × 10-8*** | |||
Number of positive and negative predictions (prediction accuracy rate is 0.977) | Prediction_Neg | Prediction_Pos | |||||
To improve the diagnosis accuracy, we fitted a multivariable logistic regression that includes urine protein (U Pr.), lambda and kappa/lambda ratio as independent variables. *P < 0.05; ***P < 0.001. UIFE-0: specimens from patients without evidence or history of MG, except solitary finding of FMLC in urine. | |||||||
UIFE_Neg | 1,693 | 0 | |||||
UIFE_Pos | 40 | 6 |