At diagnosis, the SPE showed small M-band in between beta and gamma regions with a quantitation of 2.8g/L, whereas the UPE showed
Bence-Jones protein of 1.1 g/L.
In about 75% of cases, free light chains are also over- produced to levels several thousands of times higher than normal and a corresponding increase in
Bence-Jones protein is measurable on urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP).
Further investigations--including
Bence-Jones protein urinalysis, skeletal survey, bone marrow aspiration, and trephine biopsy, as well as spinal MRI--revealed no evidence of myeloma.
Multiple myeloma: a plasma-cell cancer; currently incurable but treatable using various regimens; shows excessive numbers of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow and overproduction of intact monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgD, or IgE) or
Bence-Jones protein (free monoclonal e or e light chains).
(1,9) Often, parts of this protein are excreted by the kidneys into the urine and are known as
Bence-Jones protein. About two thirds of myeloma patients produce
Bence-Jones protein.
Tumor markers have been part of the clinical laboratory since the discovery of
Bence-Jones protein in 1846.
Urine protein electrophoresis showed generalized proteinuria and no evidence of
Bence-Jones protein. Serum protein electrophoresis showed no monoclonal band.
(7) Thus, we hypothesized that
Bence-Jones protein (BJP) quantitation by this technique is often misleading and that, instead, one may be able to use random urine protein/creatinine ratios to provide better information.
The incidence and possible relevance of
Bence-Jones protein in the sera of patients with multiple myeloma.