[Multiple myeloma of IgG-lambda type associated with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis]

Multiple myeloma associated primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is very rare and only two cases have been reported. In this paper, we reported the first case of male patient with asymptomatic PBC and multiple myeloma. A 66 year-old Japanese male was referred to our hospital for the further examination of a monoclonal gammopathy. He was diagnosed of multiple myeloma (IgG-lambda type) because of 2.3 g/day of Bence Jones proteinuria (lambda type), 3,401 mg/dl of monoclonal IgG (lambda type), 12.8% of bone marrow plasmocytosis and generalized osteoporosis. The alkaline phosphatase was 314 mU/ml and serum IgM level (polyclonal) 937 mg/dl. The patient was started on intermittent courses of melphalan and prednisolone, achieving transient improvement. After two years, hepatosplenomegaly developed gradually and the levels of serum ALP elevated increasingly. At that time, relevant investigation results were: serum ALP 663 mU/ml, serum IgG 4,144 mg/dl, serum IgM 823 mg/dl, positive anti-mitochondrial antibody test x 320. The liver biopsy showed chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis. PBC (stage 1-2 according to Sheuer's criteria) associated with multiple myeloma was diagnosed. A pathogenetic relationship such as loss of immunoregulatory function could be speculated although the simultaneous occurrence of PBC and multiple myeloma could be coincidental.