Question

What does the presence of the monoclonal band IgG kappa band indicate?

Answer 1

Q) What does the presence of the monoclonal band IgG kappa band indicate?

The plasma cells/Myeloma cells are a type of WBC which produces the antibodies (glycol-proteins) protects the body from the infections. The antibodies consist of 2 heavy chains and 2 light chains and based on the presence of a type of heavy chain present in antibodies they are 5 distinct types IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE. For example, if an antibody with IgG heavy chain then it is termed as the IgG antibody. Under normal condition (healthy individual) the plasma cells produce all 5 types of antibodies with either kappa or lambda light chains. For example, if IgG is produced, among them some of the IgG antibodies with IgG heavy chain and kappa light chain and some IgG antibodies with IgG heavy chain and lambda light chain. But under myeloma conditions, abnormal plasma cells produce antibodies with only one kind of light chains (all IgG antibodies with IgG heavy chain and lambda light chain or all IgG antibodies with IgG heavy chain and kappa light chains but not both type). If the malignant plasma cells of the individual make only light chain component of the antibody then that person has the "light chain myeloma." In such condition, these light chains (e.g. IgG kappa) excreted through urine and they are identified by Urine Protein Electrophoresis (UPEP) and urinary immunofixation electrophoresis (UIFE) assays. The immunofixation electrophoresis assays the IgG kappa as M-spike. If the patient shows the IgG kappa band then that person has the multiple myeloma.