Kappa Light Chain Kit

The molecular structure of Immunoglobulin(Ig) consists of heavy chains and light chains. Five kinds of Igs have different heavy chains but have the same two kinds of light chains: Kappa and Lambda. The ratio of Kappa and Lambda is approximately 2:1. Abnormal M protein appears In sera of MM(Multiple Myeloma) patients. Because the proliferation is monoclonal and malignant, it exhibits only the increase of one type of light chain, i.e. the increase of kappa or lambda. So the measurement of light chains in blood or urine is very important for diagnosis, typing and monitoring of MM patients. In case that one type of light chain in blood or urine increases abnormally while the other type decreases, and thus the ratio of Kappa and Lambda (2:1) is changed, diagnosis as MM should be considered. Light chains may also increase in patients who suffer from autoimmune diseases, infection, tumor, acute and chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis and so on, however in these cases the kappa and Lambda increase simultaneously. Simultaneous increase of kappa and lambda chains is also observed in urine of patients suffering from nephropathy, diabetes and so on.