Interlaboratory study of free monoclonal immunoglobulin light chain quantification

Abstract

The study revealed several weak points in the methodology, including the need for a uniform sample dilution procedure. Interlaboratory reproducibility was comparable with values achieved in the NEQAS programme.

Because the kappa/lambda ratio cannot be measured with high precision, kappa and lambda FLC concentrations should be used where possible. Due to its impact on the clinical management of patients with gammopathy, FLC quantification needs to become a part of the regular quality control cycle in myeloma centres.

Keywords

• interlaboratory comparison
• monoclonal free light chains
• monoclonal gammopathy
• multiple myeloma
• standardisation