Creative Biolabs has accumulated years of experience in the in vitro diagnostic (IVD) field. We are proficient in providing contract IVD antibody development services targeting numerous disease biomarkers. Especially, Bence-Jones protein is a potential predictive biomarker for myeloma screening.
Overview of Bence-Jones Protein
The Bence-Jones protein is a monoclonal globulin protein or immunoglobulin light chain discovered in the urine. Its molecular weight is found to be approximately 23kD. These proteins are immunoglobulin light chain (also referred to as paraproteins) and are produced by neoplastic plasma cells. They can be either kappa or lambda type. Most of the time, they are kappa type. They are found in the urine as a result of decreased kidney filtration capabilities due to renal failure. The light chain has historically been detected by heating a urine specimen. Now all this can be done through the electrophoresis of concentrated urine. More recently, serum free light chain assays have been established which showed superiority over the urine tests, particularly for patients producing low levels of monoclonal free light chains, as seen in non-secretory multiple myeloma.
Fig.1 A crystal of Bence Jones protein.1
Bence-Jones Protein Marker of Multiple Myeloma
Detection of Bence-Jones proteins may be suggestive of multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. They play a direct role in myeloma-associated kidney disorder and their measurement is of important prognostic significance. They are also involved in visceral diseases, particularly featuring tissue deposition of light chain-related material. An accumulation of studies revealed the evidence of Bence-Jones proteins in almost all cases of amyloid light chain amyloidosis. In light chain deposition diseases, tissue deposits of monoclonal light chain correlated with the presence of a monoclonal population of bone marrow plasma cells.
It is observed in early studies that the presence of Bence-Jones proteins is highly predictive of a malignant monoclonal gammopathy. Today, Bence-Jones protein has been considered as central to the initial assessment of the patient presenting with a serum monoclonal component. Also, it plays an important role in assessing prognosis and directing the subsequent management of a patient with a serum monoclonal component in whom the initial diagnosis is not certain. Bence-Jones proteins are metabolized by the kidney in a manner which is similar to that of other low-molecular-weight proteins, including glomerular filtration, proximal renal tubular absorption, et al.
IVD antibodies are extensively used in immunodiagnostic kits for disease screening and therapeutic monitoring. With our advanced IVD platform, Creative Biolabs is proud to develop novel Bence-Jones protein-specific antibodies from scratch to commercial IVD kit (we can also start with provided antibody pairs).
Besides the Bence-Jones protein marker, Creative Biolabs also focus on other potential diagnostic markers of myeloma. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us or directly send us an inquiry.
Reference
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