Optimization of workflow and screening panels for the detection of malignant monoclonal gammopathies

OBJECTIVES: Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the hematologic malignancies with a greater delay in diagnosis. Laboratories receive numerous MM screening test requests without a specific suspicion, which entails a substantial workload and reduces the efficiency of laboratories. Objective: to increase the efficacy of MM screening protocols. METHODS: The results of serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), serum protein immunofixation electrophoresis (SIFE), urine protein immunofixation electrophoresis, and serum free light chain assays of 75 patients with MM, three with amyloidosis, and a patient with solitary plasmocytoma were collected. The frequency of a set of biochemical alterations in these patients was compared with that in controls (n=120). A validation of the screening algorithm was carried out in 261 consecutive patients with a clinical or analytical suspicion of MM. RESULTS: SPEP+SFLC or SIFE+SFLC (98% sensitivity) were the screening algorithms with the highest sensitivity. Prospectively, the SPEP + SFLC detected 27 of the 28 confirmed cases of MG and saved 15 h of work. Alterations in five of the six parameters studied were more frequent in the study group, with a cumulative value of ≥3 parameters altered (61.1 vs. 1.7%) (positive predictive value: 85%; negative predictive value: 94%). CONCLUSIONS: The SPEP+SFLC screening protocol demonstrated the highest sensitivity and was the least time-consuming protocol. In addition, this protocol improves diagnostic sensitivity and laboratory performance.