Clinical significance of monoclonal proteins in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Bernstein, Z.P.; Fitzpatrick, J.E.; O'Donnell, A.; Han, T.; Foon, K.A.; Bhargava, A.
Leukemia 6(12): 1243-1245
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0887-6924 PMID: 1453768 Document Number: 398118
Serum monoclonal proteins were found in 36 of 111 (32%) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients studied using high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis combined with immunofixation. In contrast, using immunoelectrophoresis (IEP) and serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), monoclonal proteins were found in 20 and 4% of CLL patients, respectively. The presence of a monoclonal protein was associated with a median survival of 63 months compared to 103 months for individuals without a monoclonal spike (p < 0.012). This was independent of clinical stage. The data also suggests that the presence of a monoclonal protein may define a group of patients at greater risk for disease progression in the low and intermediate risk groups. (Rai stages, 0, I, II). Further follow-up will be required to determine if this is statistically significant.