Study of Monoclonal Immunoglobulin subclasses in myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a hemopathy characterized by malignant plasma cell proliferation. Clinically, it is characterized by bone damage, altered general condition, and may have complications, mainly renal. Immunologically, it results in the secretion of a complete monoclonal immunoglobulin in the typical forms (IgG or IgA). Our study included 39 patients with multiple myeloma referred to the Pasteur Institute of Algeria for immunochemical workup during the period from September to December 2015, The aim of this study is to type the IgG and IgA subclasses involved in the disease.Most of the patients have an age between 70 and 80 years, with a female predominance. Our serum immunoassay included electrophoresis followed by immunofixation for the identification of monoclonal components, followed by more specific immunofixation for the typing of IgG and IgA subclasses. Immunofixation with subclass-specific antisera revealed a predominance of IgG1(78%) followed by IgG2(22%) for the 22 IgG MM patients, and the 17 IgA MM patients were 100% IgA1.