Atypical M-protein localization in protein electrophoresis in a patient with multiple myeloma

Abstract

Monoclonal gammopathy is a group of B-cell disorders resulting in the secretion of a specific and unique monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-component). The best method for detecting a monoclonal protein is high resolution agarose gel electrophoresis. This test detects abnormalities in the migration of the proteins on electrophoresis and can be performed with samples of serum or urine. An M-protein is usually visible as a localized band on agarose gel electrophoretic peak in the beta, gamma, or rarely in the alpha-2 globulin region of the densitometer tracing. Here, we presented a multiple myeloma patient with IgA kappa paraprotein showing an M spike in the alpha-2 globulin region in agarose gel electrophoresis.