Kappa and lambda free light chain test

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Departments and specialties

Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States, with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together to ensure quality care and successful recovery.

Departments with related expertise

Research

Mayo Clinic researchers study immunoglobulin light chains in plasma cell disorders such as:

Their work includes using mass spectrometry to examine immunoglobulins in blood, urine and tissue, with the goal of improving diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring. Researchers also study biomarkers that may help show how monoclonal gammopathies develop or progress.

Mayo Clinic research also focuses on how light chains affect organs, especially the kidneys. Investigators are developing noninvasive methods, including urinary exosome testing, to detect kidney involvement in light chain amyloidosis and are working to improve diagnostic tests and measures of treatment response in kidney diseases related to monoclonal gammopathy.

Publications

See a list of publications about kappa and gamma free light chains by Mayo Clinic doctors on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.

Research Profiles

By Mayo Clinic Staff
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Aug. 22, 2026
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  1. Akhlaghi T, et al. Evaluating serum free light chain ratio as a biomarker in multiple myeloma. Haematologica. 2025; doi:10.3324/haematol.2024.285531.
  2. Azimi V, et al. A single reference interval for interpreting serum free light chains across patients with varying renal function. Clinical Chemistry. 2023; doi:10.1093/clinchem/hvad043.
  3. Dispenzieri A, et al. International Myeloma Working Group guidelines for serum-free light chain analysis in multiple myeloma and related disorders. Leukemia. 2009; doi:10.1038/leu.2008.307.
  4. Long TE, et al. Defining new reference intervals for serum free light chains in individuals with chronic kidney disease: Results of the iStopMM study. Blood Cancer Journal. 2022; doi:10.1038/s41408-022-00732-3.
  5. Gudowska-Sawczuk M, et al. Evaluation of free light chains (FLCs) synthesis in response to exposure to SARS-CoV-2. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; doi:10.3390/ijms231911589.
  6. Immunoglobulin free light chains, serum. Mayo Clinic Laboratories. https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/608250#Clinical-and-Interpretive. Accessed Aug. 4, 2026.
  7. Peña C, et al. Reference interval of free light chains ratio in patients with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis. Haematologica. 2024; doi:10.3324/haematol.2024.285093.
  8. Rajkumar SV. Multiple myeloma: 2024 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management. American Journal of Hematology. 2024; doi:10.1002/ajh.27422.
  9. Complete blood count (CBC). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complete-blood-count/about/pac-20384919. Accessed Aug. 4, 2026.
  10. Liver function tests. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liver-function-tests/about/pac-20394595. Accessed Aug. 4, 2026.
  11. Serum free light chains. Testing.com. https://www.testing.com/tests/serum-free-light-chains. Accessed Aug. 4, 2026.
  12. Protein electrophoresis, serum, with reflex to IFE, serum and free κ and λ light chains, serum. Labcorp. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/123041. Accessed Aug. 4, 2026.
  13. Immunofixation (IFE), serum, protein electrophoresis (PE), serum, and quantitative free κ and λ light chains (FLC) plus ratio, serum. Labcorp. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/120256. Accessed Aug. 4, 2026.
  14. Natali P, et al. A new challenge for urinary free light chains: Assessment of the upper reference limit in healthy subjects. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2023; doi:10.26355/eurrev_202309_33812.
  15. Dimopoulos MA, et al. Management of multiple myeloma-related renal impairment: Recommendations from the International Myeloma Working Group. Lancet Oncology. 2023; doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(23)00223-1.

Kappa and lambda free light chain test