The incidence and possible relevance of Bence‐Jones protein in the sera of patients with multiple myeloma

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Abstract
Summary We present results showing that the detectable incidence of Bence‐Jones protein in the sera of patients with multiple myeloma is equivalent to the highest detectable incidence of Bence‐Jones protein in highly concentrated urine when tested by immuno‐isoelectric focusing. In a series of 25 multiple myeloma patients, immuno‐isoelectric focusing showed the incidence of Bence‐Jones proteinaemia to be 68% compared with a detectable incidence of Bence‐Jones proteinuria of 32–64% by immunoelectrophoresis and immuno‐isoelectric focusing depending upon the urine concentration factor. In view of the variability of factors governing urinary Bence‐Jones protein levels, such as renal catabolism, reabsorption and losses during concentration, we suggest that monitoring of serum Bence‐Jones protein by immuno‐isoelectric focusing should be carried out in conjunction with measurements of urinary Bence‐Jones protein in multiple myeloma.