The Utility of Myositis Specific Antibodies in Clinical Practice.

Background: Fifteen myositis-specific antibodies have been described and characterized over the past 40 years. Approximately two thirds of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myositis have a myositis-specific antibody and only rarely more than one. Assays to detect them are now widely available within clinical practice.

Case report: Interference from isatuximab on serum protein electrophoresis prevented demonstration of complete remission in a myeloma patient.

Multiple myeloma is a haematological cancer caused by malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow that can result in organ dysfunction and death. Recent novel treatments have contributed to improved survival rates, including monoclonal antibody therapies that target the CD38 protein on the surface of plasma cells. Anti-CD38 therapies are IgG kappa monoclonal antibodies that are given in doses high enough for the drug to be visible on serum protein electrophoresis as a small paraprotein.

Development and preparation of a new serum protein reference material: feasibility studies and processing.

Background: The availability of matrix reference materials is essential for the standardisation of (immuno)assays used to measure proteins. The reference material ERM-DA470 (previously called CRM470) certified in 1993 has led to a large degree of harmonisation of these assays. A new serum protein reference material has now been produced (ERM-DA470k).