Performance of immunotyping versus immunofixation for the detection of monoclonal gammopathies

Serum immunofixation (IF) is routinely used in clinical laboratories to confirm the presence of an M-protein and determine its isotype. For laboratories looking for a more automated method for the detection of M-proteins, immunotyping (IT) by capillary electrophoresis is also FDA-approved to confirm the presence of these proteins and determine isotypes.

In this webinar, Dr. Katie Thoren will discuss a recent study comparing the performance of immunotyping and immunofixation for the detection of M-proteins. Thoren will demonstrate that reviewer training and experience are critical to the correct interpretation of IT results and that the analytical and clinical sensitivity is similar to IF for the detection of M-proteins. Thoren will present the data, review the limitations of each test, and discuss potential strategies for mitigating these limitations.

Key Learning Objectives

• Describe how an immunotyping training program can improve the sensitivity of IT interpretation.
• Identify the advantages of immunotyping over immunofixation in detecting M-proteins.
• Explain the clinical sensitivity observed with immunofixation and immunotyping when each test is used in combination with serum-free light-chain results.
• Summarize the limitations of immunofixation and immunotyping in detecting M-proteins and potential strategies to mitigate these limitations.

Who Should Attend

Clinical pathologists, clinical chemists, medical technologists, and medical directors