Automated serum kappa (κ) and lambda (λ) free light chain (FLC) immunoassay may be used as a rapid screening tool for multiple myeloma and other light chain diseases as it is more sensitive and robust than serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and urine immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). Serum FLC enables earlier diagnosis and evaluation of tumour response to therapy. Serum FLC testing has been incorporated into an international guideline for all newly diagnosed plasma cell cancers for diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and assessing treatment.
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