Electrophoresis experts meet at Royal Holloway, University of London

Featuring guest speakers from hospital trusts around the country, ‘Current Trends in Electrophoresis Testing’ was chaired by Consultant Clinical Scientist, Dr Robert Beetham, North Bristol NHS Trust. The scientific programme featured presentations on testing strategies for monoclonal proteins and a clinical perspective on multiple myeloma. Topical subjects such as alpha-1 antitrypsin and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin were also covered along with an examination of the benefits of centralised electrophoresis as part of a networked pathology service.

Strategies for detecting monoclonal proteins
As keynote speaker, Dr Robert Beetham provided an outline of how to detect monoclonal proteins and explained the significance of these results for patients.

A monoclonal protein is an immunoglobulin molecule that is the product of a single clone of antibody-producing plasma cells. Monoclonal proteins act as markers for a number of significant diseases including multiple myeloma, a cancer that begins in plasma cells. Monoclonal protein-related disorders are caused by protein aggregation or antibody activity. Electrophoresis testing of serum samples allows intact monoclonal proteins to be detected, while testing of urine samples detects cases where the only abnormality is a free monoclonal light chain. The International Myeloma Working Group1 advises that immunofixation electrophoresis of serum and urine samples is the gold standard for detecting monoclonal protein related disorders.