Utilizzo della determinazione delle catene leggere libere nel siero in ambito nefrologico

AUTORI

ABSTRACT

Use of serum free light chain testing in nephrology

Renal disease is one of the most common sequelae of monoclonal gammopathies and, once established, has a great influence on patient’s prognosis. The kidney may be damaged both by intact immunoglobulin or, more often, by serum free light chains (sFLC). These molecules are physiologically filtered and reabsorbed by the kidney, but the interactions between host characteristics and sFLC biochemical structure or overproduction can lead to a wide variety of renal diseases. Diagnosis of renal disease due to monoclonal proteins is sometimes difficult, especially when the main clinical manifestation is chronic progressive nephropathy with minor urinary alterations, such as in light-chain deposition disease. The introduction of sFLC assays has improved the diagnostic capacity and offered an important tool to guide nephrologic treatments. Aim of this paper is to review current available indications for sFLC determination in nephrology and to offer a critical appraisal of their use in clinical practice.

BIBLIOGRAFIA