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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
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Published on: April 15, 2022
IgE myeloma with elevated level of serum CA125
Man-Ling Wang1, Qiang Huang, Tian-Xin Yang
1Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, China. wml12142002@yahoo.com
Insights
This study reports the first case of immunoglobulin E (IgE) multiple myeloma with elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125). Further research is needed to understand CA125
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy.
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE) multiple myeloma is a rare subtype.
- Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) is a tumor marker typically associated with ovarian cancer.
Observation:
- A male patient with IgE multiple myeloma presented with significantly elevated serum CA125 levels.
- Bone marrow examination confirmed a high percentage of atypical plasma cells with IgE and kappa light chain expression.
- Skeletal imaging revealed vertebral fractures and lesions in the cervical spine and ribs.
Findings:
- Serum CA125 and IgE levels normalized after chemotherapy.
- The patient achieved a complete remission lasting 18 months.
- This case highlights a potential association between CA125 and IgE myeloma.
Implications:
- Elevated CA125 may be a relevant biomarker in specific myeloma subtypes.
- Further investigation into the role of CA125 in IgE multiple myeloma is warranted.
- This finding could influence diagnostic and monitoring strategies for rare myeloma variants.
Objective:
To explore clinical and laboratory features and significance of detecting serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in immunoglobulin E (IgE) multiple myeloma.
Methods:
We reported the clinical findings of a male patient with IgE myeloma and elevated level of serum CA125 and reviewed the literature.
Results:
Laboratory tests of this patient on admission showed extremely high serum IgE and CA125, a bone marrow aspirate revealed abnormal plasma cells (38.4% of nucleated cells: 16.4% mature and 22% atypical), and in bone marrow biopsy, immunoperoxidase staining showed positive cytoplasmic staining for IgE and kappa light chain within the vast majority of plasma cells. Computed tomography (CT) bone scans indicated wedge shape change and compressive fracture of thoracic vertebrae, and emission computed tomography (ECT) discovered multiple punctiform aggregation of radiation in both cervical ribs and spine. The serum IgE and CA125 gradually decreased to normal limits after eight cycles of chemotherapy. This patient is alive well with an 18-month complete remission.
Conclusion:
We reported the first case of IgE myeloma with elevated level of serum CA125. To further evaluate clinical characteristics and significance of CA125 in IgE myeloma, more cases are needed.
