What is light chain deposition?
What is light chain deposition?
What is light chain deposition?
Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a rare condition characterized by the deposition of specific proteins (monoclonal light chains) in the kidneys and other organs . Light chains are used to make antibodies that the body needs to fight infection.
How is light chain deposition disease treated?
The treatment of LCDD is challenging but the use of Bortezomib, a proteosome inhibitor, is promising. However, suboptimal response may require further treatment with other therapeutic options such as chemotherapy with alkylating agents or high-dose Melphalan with autologous stem cell transplant.
What are the symptoms of light chain disease?
The symptoms a person has vary based on the reason for the light chain production. Symptoms can be related to the disease as it affects your body as a whole, such as weakness and fatigue, weight loss, bone pain, or numbness/tingling of your arms or legs.
How do light chains damage kidneys?
The direct toxicity of the intact light chains to tubular cells (compared with light chain fragment deposition in light chain deposition disease or amyloidosis) Protein complex formation in the distal nephron. Tubular fluid pH. A reduction in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate (ie, decreased urine flow)
How long can you live with light-chain disease?
Median survival for patients with light-chain deposition disease (LCDD) is about 4 years. The largest series published so far has reported after a median follow-up of 27 months; 57% of patients developed uremia and 59% of patients died.
Is myeloma light-chain cancerous?
It is a malignant disease characterized by abnormal proliferation of plasma cells and monoclonal immunoglobulins or free light chains (FLC). The annual incidence of MM is 7.74 per 100,000 population while the annual number of deaths due to MM is 3.52 per 100,000 population [3-4].
How common is light-chain disease?
The frequency of light-chain deposition disease (LCDD) is unknown. The disease is found in approximately 5% of patients with multiple myeloma at autopsy.
Is light-chain myeloma worse?
When myeloma progresses, the myeloma cells start to produce more light chains than heavy chains. This can be measured by the Free Light Chain Assay test on a blood specimen. In general, the higher the free light chains, the more aggressive the disease is.