monoclonal gammopathy

Last reviewed 09/2022

Paraproteins are immunoglobulins of a single, unique structure i.e. produced by a single clone, which are present in sufficient amounts to be seen on serum electrophoresis. A sharp band is seen because all of the molecules have an identical structure. Examples include:

Benign:

• monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Malignant:

• Myeloma
• Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia
• Heavy chain disease

Other causes of paraproteinaemias include:

• paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria - Donath-Landsteiner antibody
• cold haemagluttin disease - IgM paraprotein
• warm antibody haemolytic anaemia
• chronic lymphatic leukaemia - IgG or IgM paraprotein