Overview of Monoclonal Gammopathies
Plasma cell disorders associated with cancers of the bone marrow
Monoclonal proteins are produced as a result of the clonal proliferation of plasma cells that reside in the bone marrow, producing antibodies
Monoclonal proteins can refer to: Intact Immunoglobulins (Igs) 
and/or free light chains (FLCs)
Benign asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies include Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) and Smouldering Mulitple Myeloma.
These are secreted into the serum and are surrogate markers of tumor burden.
The most common malignant monoclonal gammopathy is Multiple Myeloma (MM).
Laboratory testing plays an important role in the management of monoclonal gammopathies:
- Diagnosis - to support a diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy
- Prognosis - to predict patient outcomes
- Monitoring - to assess response to treatment
International Guidelines have been established to support best practice.
Freelite is a laboratory test which can be used to help detect monoclonal free light chains.
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