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Welcome to Issue 2 of Freelite InSite. In this issue, of note you will find a review of ASH, the key international Haematology meeting, and a discussion of light chain escape. Kind regards Business Development Manager - Freelite |
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2008 Issue 2 |
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1. Value of Serum Free Light Chain Testing for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Monoclonal Gammopathies in Hematology Sundar Jagannath, Clinical Lymphoma and Myeloma 2007 7(8):518-523 The author highlights, via a review of recent literature, the important role serum free light chain (FLC) assays play in the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of Multiple Myeloma (MM) and other monoclonal gammopathies. The publication also discusses the use of serum FLC assays in the risk stratification of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and plasmacytoma patients. Click here for a review of this publication and to order a copy 2. Immunoglobulin free light chain ratio is an independent risk factor for progression of smoldering (asymptomatic) multiple Myeloma Angela Dispenzieri, Blood 2008 111(2):785-789 This large study investigated 273 patients seen at the Mayo Clinic in the US between 1970 and 1995 and concluded an abnormal serum free light chain ratio was an independent risk factor for progression in patients with SMM. Click here for a review of this publication and to order a copy |
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Publication review – keep up to date with recent publications |
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American Society of Haematology 49th Annual Meeting and Exposition December 8-11 2007 Atlanta Georgia Click here for reviews of the meeting’s content Next key meetings: National Kidney Foundation Spring Meeting 2nd - 6th April 2008, Dallas, Texas, USA http://www.kidney.org/news/meetings/clinical/index.cfm British Society for Haematology 48th Annual Scientific Meeting incorporating the 6th Bi-Annual I-FBM Leukaemia Symposium XLV ERA-EDTA Congress - European Renal Association & European Dialysis and Transplant Association 10th - 13th May 2008, Stockholm Sweden Internal Medicine 2008 (by the American College of Physicians) 15th - 17th May 2008, Washington, DC, USA http://www.acponline.org/meetings/internal_medicine/2008/ 13th Congress of the European Haematology Association 12th - 15th June 2008, Copenhagen, Denmark http://congress.ehaweb.org/13th/ AACC Annual Meeting 2008 27th - 31st July 2008, Washington, DC, US |
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Exhibitions and Meetings - Catching up and planning ahead |

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We have experienced presenters who are keen to help educate your team on the status of free light chain testing. We have a presentation that fits easily into a 1 hour time slot allowing for questions and discussion too. This presentation is designed to be of value to clinicians and laboratory staff who want to keep abreast of developments. Click here to view topics covered in the talk. We have been granted 1 CPD point for attendees at this seminar by both the IBMS and the Royal College of Pathologists. If you would like us to visit your facility please email info@bindingsite.co.uk |
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Request a seminar (UK Only) |
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If you have a friend or colleague who you feel would benefit from receiving this newsletter then please forward this to them. Received this from a colleague? We need your permission to send you future issues - please Click here to register. Find out more about serum free light chains at www.freelite.co.uk If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please Click here to unsubscribe. Having problems viewing or printing this newsletter? Click here to view online. |
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Refer a friend/colleague |
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The Binding Site Ltd |
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Healthcare professional viewpoint |
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̃ Review of Conferences ̃ Prognosis ̃ UK Freelite Roadshows |
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What’s in Issue 3 |
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For some Intact Immunoglobulin Multiple Myeloma (IIMM) patients in remission, relapse is accompanied by a marked rise in monoclonal serum free light chains (FLC) with no associated increase in intact immunoglobulin concentrations. In effect, the IIMM switches to a Light Chain Multiple Myeloma (LCMM) phenotype, a phenomenon termed light chain escape or breakthrough. It is important to detect light chain escape early as it is associated with an increased tumour growth rate, disease progression and a worse prognosis (Brit J. Haematol. 1969; 16: 207)(Haematologica 2007; 92: 143). Click here for more information on how to ensure you identify these patients. |
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Light Chain escape |
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Serum Free Light Chain Assays: Value in the Diagnosis of Paraproteinemic Renal Disease Dr. Karen van Hoeven, Medical Director, Binding Site Inc, discusses the appropriate use of blood tests for free kappa and free lambda light chains (Freelite) and how they are interpreted. These assays were integrated into the 2006 diagnostic algorithm for multiple myeloma by the International Myeloma Working Group. Their application for the diagnosis of paraproteinemic renal disease is discussed in depth in this webinar, as it was at the NKF 2007 workshop Click here to view this webinar. March 13, today, is World Kidney day – how are you supporting it? Remember “Free light chains (FLCs) can result in a diversity of renal injuries in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias. Freelite provides a sensitive and rapid way to identifying monoclonal FLCs in patients presenting with acute or chronic renal impairment. A great advantage is the ability to identify FLCs in the serum removing the dependency on urine samples. The ease of measurement of serum FLCs with Freelite has been influential in allowing our ongoing research into treatment strategies for patients with cast nephropathy.” Dr Colin Hutchison, Research Fellow, Renal Unit, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham, UK. Click here to see what you can do to support today and in the coming weeks |
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Renal Disease |
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5th International Symposium on Clinical Applications of Serum Free Light Chain Analysis, 18th - 19th September 2008, Bath, UK An autumn conference on serum free light chains and their application to monoclonal gammopathies and renal damage. Secretariat chairman: Prof. A.R. Bradwell, University of Birmingham, UK |
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Biennial 2008 |