What does a low kappa light chain mean?
What does a low kappa light chain mean?
A free light chains test measures the amount of lambda and kappa free light chains in the blood. If the amount of free light chains is higher or lower than normal, it can mean you have a disorder of the plasma cells.
What does low Kappa mean?
In general, a low kappa-lambda ratio (< 0.26) indicates the overproduction of lambda light chains, and a high ratio (> 1.65) indicates the overproduction of kappa light chains.
What is kappa light chain?
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 causes kappa light chain disease?
The underlying cause of LCDD is unknown. It is often associated with multiple myeloma. LCDD may progress to multiple myeloma, or it may be present with multiple myeloma when it is first diagnosed. The goal of treating LCDD is to slow the production of light chains and their damage to organs.
What is a Kappa chain?
Medical Definition of kappa chain. : a polypeptide chain of one of the two types of light chain that are found in antibodies and can be distinguished antigenically and by the sequence of amino acids in the chain — compare lambda chain.
What is a light chain protein?
Light chains, also called Bence Jones proteins, make up part of the structure of immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins are also made up of heavy chains. The light chains attach themselves to the heavy chains and are then called bound light chains.
Is plasma cell neoplasm cancer?
In some plasma cell neoplasms, the cells are cancer and form tumors, usually in your bones. The symptoms you get and the treatment you need depend on which type you have. Plasma cell neoplasms range from not much of a problem to life-threatening.
