Department of Pathology, State University of New York at Stony Brook



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M-Components in Plasma Cell Neoplasia


Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). In the bottom plot, a sharp spike has replaced a diffuse hump in the gamma region, because normal gammaglobulins are decreased and large amounts of a single, monoclonal immuglobulin have taken their place. Because the protein is monoclonal, each molecule has identical electrophoretic qualities that move it to the same place in the electric field, creating a narrow, intense band or spike. Discovery of an M-component suggests the presence of multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, other lymphoproliferative disease, or primary systemic amyloidosis.


Two examples (left and right) of immunoelectrophoresis (IEP). NHS = "normal human serum". Note that there is an abnormality or bowing to the precipitin line of the patient's serum with certain anti-immunoglobulin isotype antibodies. On the left bowing occurs with anti-gamma and anti-kappa antibodies. How about on the right?.

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