Serum free light chains and oligoclonal bands in patients with multiple myeloma and autologous stem cell transplantation.

Background: To establish stringent complete remission (SCR) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), it is currently recommended to obtain a normal serum free light chains (sFLC) ratio. The appearance of serum oligoclonal bands (OB) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is considered a favorable prognostic factor. The objective of this study was to examine sFLC for assessing SCR in patients with MM, and ASCT with OB.

Oligoclonal bands and immunoglobulin isotype switch during monitoring of patients with multiple myeloma and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation: a 16-year experience.

Background: Over the last 20 years, high dose therapy followed by hemopoietic stem cell transplantation has been employed in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). During 16 years of follow-up, the degree of tumor response and survival in 238 patients with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and changes in the serum protein electrophoretic pattern were analyzed.

Methods: Agarose gel electrophoresis with densitometric analysis and immunofixation were performed to evaluate serum monoclonal protein.