Can sFLC assays be used to follow-up patients with LCMM?
Yes, serum is preferable to urine for monitoring patients for several reasons. Serum samples are easier to collect than 24-hour urine samples and serum is a more reliable fluid for assessing changes in production of FLCs. Also, normal serum concentrations of FLCs are less variable than urine concentrations so abnormal results are more easily assessed. Since serum is more sensitive for detection of FLCs than urine, sFLCs are more effective for assessing minimal residual disease.
