Glossary
MONOCLONAL COMPONENTS
Monoclonal components are immunoglobulin ("Ig") molecules, or parts thereof. Normal plasma cells produce immunoglobulins consisting in the antibodies that are necessary to fight infections. Abnormal plasma cells - "myeloma cells" – are present in myeloma patients and do not produce antibodies in response to an infection. Instead, they produce monoclonal immunoglobulins, which cannot function as antibodies. This typical immunoglobulin is unique in each myeloma patient and can be formed by: heavy chains combined with light chains or by light chains alone, or by immunoglobulin fragments or combinations thereof.
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• Glossary