What is Kappa in urine?

What is Kappa in urine?

Kappa light chains usually exist as monomers (22,000 d) and are therefore small enough to be filtered through the glomerulus, but they may exist as dimers. Lambda light chains usually exist as dimers (44,000 d) and, therefore, are less likely to be filtered and appear in urine.

What is the normal range for kappa light chain?

Normal test results for free light chains are: 3.3 to 19.4 mg/L kappa free light chains. 5.71 to 26.3 mg/L lambda free light chains. 0.26 to 1.65 ratio of kappa/lambda.

Is kappa myeloma curable?

One type of myeloma is Kappa light chain myeloma. With this disorder, there’s an overabundance of a specific antibody protein – the Kappa light chain protein. There’s no cure for multiple myeloma, but it can be controlled.

Is myeloma a terminal?

Treatment for myeloma can be very effective at controlling the disease, relieving its symptoms and complications, and prolonging life. Unfortunately, though, myeloma is currently an incurable (terminal) cancer. Myeloma is a relapsing-remitting cancer.

What do light chains in urine mean?

The light chains can be immunoglobulin fragments or single homogeneous immunoglobulins. They are found in urine as a result of decreased kidney filtration capabilities due to renal failure, sometimes induced by hypercalcemia from the calcium released as the bones are destroyed or from the light chains themselves.

What causes elevated Kappa free light chains?

Elevated kappa and lambda (K/L) free light chain (FLC) may occur due to polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia or impaired renal clearance. A specific increase in FLC (eg, FLC K:L ratio) must be demonstrated for diagnostic purposes.

What does the kappa light chain do?

Light chains are proteins produced by immune cells called plasma cells. Also called kappa and lambda light chains, they link together with other proteins (heavy chains) to form immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) that target and neutralize specific threats to the body such as bacteria and viruses.

What is Kappa Lambda light chain disease?

Light chain disease: A condition in which plasma cells secrete immunoglobulin light chains of only one type, kappa or lambda. Light chain deposition disease is often associated with multiple myeloma or lymphoproliferative disease, but as many as 50% of patients have no evidence of neoplastic plasma cell proliferation.