Aani Haem: MM/MPS/MDS Flashcards
What is the normal healthy ratio of kappa: lambda Igs?
60:40 Kappa:lambda
What do you get made in MM?
Production of monoclonal Ig (paraproteins)
Which test can be done to detect MM?
Serum Free Light Chain electrophoresis
What is the Kappa:Lambda ratio in MM?
K:L 99:1
What is an immunoglobulin made up of?
2 light chains & 2 heavy chains
What is a plasma cell?
A differentiated B lymphocyte whose function is to create Abs
What are the clinical features of MM?
CRAB
Calcium is high
Renal failure
Anaemia (+pancytopaenia)
Bones - pain, osteoporosis, osteolytic lesions, fractures, pepper pot skull
Why do you get renal failure in MM?
because the free light chains are excreted by the kidney but are toxic
What are free light chains?
Fragmented Igs
Why do you get bone symptoms in MM?
Because plasma cells stimulate osteoclasts
Why do you get bone symptoms in MM?
Because plasma cells stimulate osteoclasts and inhibit osteoblasts
Why do you get pancytopaenia in MM?
Overcrowing of plasma cells in BM can crowd out normally functioning cells
What do you see on electrophoresis in MM?
A dense narrow band (M protein). This is made up of the monoclonal identical Igs
Which staging system is used in MM?
Durie-Salmon staging
Which cytokine markers are in MM?
CD 138
CD 38
CD 56
CD 58
Which chains do you see in MM?
Bence-Jones Protein
How much of the BM needs to be plasma cells to diagnose MM?
At least 10% with other symptoms
OR
isolated 60% (smouldering myeloma - >10% plasma cells in BM but no CRAB symptoms)
What do you see on the MM blood film?
Rouleaux (Stacking of RBCs)
Will the ESR be high or low in MM?
High
Describe what MM plasma cells look like?
Their nucleus has been pushed to the side because of the enlarged cytoplasm
Mnemonic to remember treatment of MM?
Stay Put In Class
MM is an educational society that wants you to stay put in class
Steroids
Proteosome inhibitors
Immunomodulators
Chemo cytostatic drugs
What is the treatment for MM?
SPIC
Steroids e.g. Dexamethasone or Prednisalone
Proteosome Inhibitors e.g. BORTEZOMIB
Immunomodulators e.g. Lenalidomide
Chemo e.g. Melphalan (block DNA replication)
What is it when there is >10% plasma cells in BM but no CRAB symptoms?
Smouldering Myeloma
Which chromosomes are affected in MGUS to MM transformation?
Odd numbers e.g. 3,5,11 etc