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Breadcrumb – “m protein test”
Serum and Urine Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP and UPEP)
Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a check that measures the quantity of heavy chain monoclonal protein made by myeloma cells. Study extra at Kinds of Myeloma.
SPEP separates all of the proteins within the blood in keeping with their electrical cost. Urine protein electrophoresis, or UPEP, does the identical factor for proteins within the urine.
The primary graph represents a standard SPEP outcome. It exhibits:
The second graph represents the outcome for a affected person with myeloma. Along with the spike for albumin, there may be one other tall spike. The crimson arrow within the gamma area of the graph signifies this spike.
A pathologist measures the realm beneath the spike, or curve, and subtracts the conventional stage of gamma globulins from the whole. The result’s your stage of monoclonal protein (M-protein).
SPEP and UPEP inform us how MUCH monoclonal protein there may be, however not the sort. Monoclonal protein is the output of myeloma cells in most individuals with myeloma. But, each particular person’s myeloma is exclusive. The output of monoclonal protein can differ from affected person to affected person. It could actually can also differ in how that quantity pertains to the conduct of the myeloma.
SPEP and UPEP do not measure myeloma cells; they measure the output of myeloma cells. Individuals’s myeloma cells don’t reproduce on the similar charge or secrete the identical quantity of protein per cell.
A caveat with SPEP: Immunoglobulin A-type (IgA) myeloma monoclonal protein doesn’t separate out within the gamma area of the graph. It could actually get “stuck” with the beta and even alpha proteins. Sufferers with IgA myeloma ought to talk about one of the simplest ways to measure their monoclonal protein with their docs.
Immunofixation Electrophoresis of Blood or Urine (IFE)
Immunofixation electrophoresis of blood or urine (IFE) is the counterpart to SPEP and UPEP. IFE tells us the TYPE of monoclonal protein within the blood and/or urine however not the quantity. IFE testing separates proteins by electrical cost. IFE measures solely the monoclonal — or irregular —proteins, not the conventional (polyclonal) ones
The result’s both adverse or optimistic for the presence of a selected kind of monoclonal protein.
*Word: Darzalex can affect the outcomes of IFE if a affected person has IgG Kappa myeloma and is being evaluated for full response. The affected person could also be in a really deep full response, however a tiny band of IgG Kappa will present up on the check.
“m protein test”