Monoclonal Immunoglobulin (monoclonal + immunoglobulin)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The effect of combination antiretroviral therapy on CD5 B- cells, B-cell activation and hypergammaglobulinaemia in HIV-1-infected patients

HIV MEDICINE, Issue 5 2005
BE Redgrave
Objectives This study assessed B-cell activation, CD5 B-cells and circulating immunoglobulin levels in HIV-infected patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (CART). Methods Measurement of plasma immunoglobulin levels and electrophoresis of plasma proteins, and analyses of total numbers of B-cells and B-cells expressing CD38 and CD5 in whole blood, were undertaken in 47 consecutive HIV-1-infected patients attending an out-patient clinic. Results All HIV-infected patients had similar percentages and numbers of B-cells. Proportions of CD5 B-cells in all HIV-infected patients were significantly lower than those in HIV-negative controls. Aviraemic HIV-infected patients on CART had lower percentages of CD5, CD38 and CD5 CD38 B-cell subsets and lower plasma levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) than viraemic HIV-infected patients (untreated or on CART). However, 33,37% of aviraemic HIV-infected patients had IgG and IgA levels above the 95th percentile of the normal range defined in HIV-seronegative donors. In aviraemic HIV-infected patients, plasma IgA levels correlated only with proportions of activated (CD38) B-cells. IgG levels did not correlate with the proportions of B-cell subsets or any marker of HIV disease activity. Monoclonal immunoglobulins were not detected in any plasma sample. Conclusions Aviraemic HIV-infected patients on CART have lower plasma levels of IgG and IgA than viraemic HIV-infected patients, but levels are often above the normal range. CD5 B-cell numbers are depressed, so these cells are unlikely to contribute to hypergammaglobulinaemia in HIV-infected patients. [source]


Multiple myeloma , an update on diagnosis and treatment

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
Jo Caers
Abstract Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell (PC) malignancy characterized by the accumulation of monoclonal PCs in the bone marrow and the production of large amounts of a monoclonal immunoglobulin or paraprotein. In the past years, new approaches in the diagnosis and treatment were introduced aiming to identify high-risk patients who need proper anti-myeloma treatment. Intensive therapy including autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the new agents bortezomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide have improved patients' responses. Further optimalization of the different treatment schedules in well-defined patient groups may prolong their survival. Patient stratification is currently based on patient characteristics, extent of myeloma disease, and associated cytogenetic and laboratory anomalies. More and more gene expression studies are introduced to stratify patients and to individualize therapy. [source]


The histological and pathogenetic spectrum of cutaneous disease in monoclonal gammopathies

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 8 2008
Franco Rongioletti
The dermatological disorders associated with monoclonal gammopathies are clinically heterogeneous and may be divided into four groups with distinctive pathogenetic mechanisms (a) specific (infiltrative) disorders including primary and secondary cutaneous plasmacytoma and cutaneous lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of Waldenström's disease (b) skin disorders because of the deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin (M protein), including amyloidoisis macroglobulinemia cutis, light chain deposition of Randall's disease, follicular spicules of the nose, and cryoglobulinemia (c) skin disorders associated with monoclonal gammopathies, including highly associated (>50%), weakly associated (<50%) or anecdotal and (d) miscellaneous (non specific). In most cases, histopathology is crucial to confirm or to diagnose those skin conditions and is also very useful to understand their pathogenetic mechanisms. [source]


Pulmonary presentations of amyloidosis

RESPIROLOGY, Issue 1 2001
Mark E. Howard
Abstract: Respiratory tract involvement with amyloid is rare. We report eight cases of lower respiratory tract amyloidosis including a case of isolated pulmonary interstitial amyloidosis treated with chemotherapy, two cases of recurrent endobronchial amyloid with airway obstruction successfully treated with laser therapy and three cases of localized nodular pulmonary amyloidosis. The subjects with endobronchial and nodular amyloid demonstrated good long-term survival, while those with systemic or interstitial pulmonary amyloid had progressive disease and poor survival. Circulating monoclonal immunoglobulins were identified in five of the eight cases as the likely cause of the amyloid. [source]