Salivary immunoglobulin related proteins in 24 patients with multiple myeloma

Mixed saliva and blood of 24 cases of multiple myeloma (MM) were collected and the immunoglobulin and light chain concentrations compared with that found in the saliva and blood of 16 age matched control patients. The concentrations of salivary IgA, IgG and lambda light chains were significantly increased in IgA-, IgG- and lambda light chain producing MM respectively. Salivary IgA concentration in non-IgA MM and salivary IgG concentration in non-IgG MM were within normal ranges. Despite a significant decrease in circulating normal immunoglobulins, this study fails to support suppression of normal salivary immunoglobulin concentrations in patients suffering MM.