[The secretion of monoclonal immunoglobulins in chronic lymphoproliferative diseases]

Altogether 74 patients (57 with CLL; 12 with lymphocytomas including 7 with generalization of disease; 5 with hairy cell leukemia) were examined to detect the secretion of serum monoclonal immunoglobulins (Ig) and Bence Jones (BJ) protein. Electrophoresis of the serum in agarose gel, radial immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis as well as isotachophoresis with immune development for identification of minimal amounts of BJ protein in urine were employed. Monoclonal Ig in the serum and urine (IgG lambda + BJ lambda and IgA kappa + BJ kappa) were found in 2 CLL patients. BJ protein only was revealed in 40.5% of the examinees (kappa:lambda = 4.5:1). Direct correlation between the level of BJ protein secretion and tumor mass was shown. Effective therapy caused the reduction (but not disappearance) of BJ protein in urine. During a 2-year study BJ protein secretion was undetectable in the group of nonsecreting patients with a large tumor mass. Prospects of the use of the results obtained are under discussion.