ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic disease of B cell lineage resulting in the overproliferation of malignant plasma cells. These plasma cells produce a homogenous monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) or an excessive amount of monoclonal free light chain or both. These proteins are known as monoclonal proteins, or M proteins. Production of M protein is the hallmark in the laboratory diagnosis of MM. M protein can be detected in blood or in urine. MM accounts for 8-10% of all hematologic malignancies. It is estimated that 14,000 new cases of MM will be diagnosed each year, and more than 11,200 of those patients will eventually die of the disease. Unfortunately, almost all patients with MM who initially respond to chemotherapy eventually relapse. The median survival of MM with standard therapy is approximately 4 years [I ].
