Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
Mouse Kidney Transplantation: Models of Allograft Rejection
Published on: October 11, 2014
Initial survival data of kidney transplant patients with pre-transplant monoclonal gammopathy
Liliana Soltero1, Hector Carbajal, Jiaqiong Xu
1Department of Surgery, The Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Background:
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is the presence of a serum monoclonal protein at a concentration of <3 g/dL without evidence of lymphoproliferative disease or organ damage. The prevalence of MGUS in kidney transplantation (KT) candidates is unknown. The present is a retrospective report of patients who underwent evaluation for a KT and were found to have MGUS at our center.
Methods:
All transplant candidates found to have MGUS between the years 2000 and 2007 were included. Variables were collected. Patients with MGUS that received a KT were compared with patients with MGUS that were not transplanted.
Results:
Of a total of 1215 KT candidates, 34 were found to have MGUS during the KT evaluation. Nine patients with MGUS were transplanted. Myeloma or lymphoproliferative disease was not observed. Following transplantation, the MGUS group had a lower survival than the non-transplanted group. However, survival from the time of MGUS diagnosis was not different between the transplanted and non-transplanted MGUS groups.
Conclusions:
In this group, transplantation did not confer a survival benefit. It is our hope that these initial data will serve as a platform for future studies. We suggest MGUS screening in all patients older than 50 yr of age undergoing evaluation for transplantation.
Insights
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) screening may benefit kidney transplant candidates over 50. In this study, kidney transplantation did not improve survival for MGUS patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Hematology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is characterized by serum monoclonal protein (<3 g/dL) without lymphoproliferative disease or organ damage.
- The prevalence and impact of MGUS in kidney transplantation (KT) candidates remain largely unknown.
- This retrospective study examines MGUS in KT candidates evaluated at a single center.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of MGUS among kidney transplantation candidates.
- To compare outcomes of MGUS patients who received a kidney transplant versus those who did not.
- To assess the impact of kidney transplantation on survival in patients with MGUS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of KT candidates evaluated between 2000 and 2007.
- Identification of candidates diagnosed with MGUS during pre-transplant evaluation.
- Comparison of survival rates between transplanted and non-transplanted MGUS patients.
Main Results:
- MGUS was identified in 34 out of 1215 (2.8%) KT candidates.
- Nine MGUS patients underwent kidney transplantation; no cases of myeloma or lymphoproliferative disease were observed.
- The MGUS group receiving a transplant showed lower survival post-transplantation compared to non-transplanted MGUS patients; however, survival from MGUS diagnosis was similar.
Conclusions:
- Kidney transplantation did not demonstrate a survival benefit for MGUS patients in this cohort.
- These findings suggest the need for further research into MGUS in the context of kidney transplantation.
- Screening for MGUS is recommended for all kidney transplantation candidates over 50 years of age.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
01:16Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure