Inventors:
John Matthew Koomen - Tampa FL, US
Elizabeth Renee Remily - Lutz FL, US
Kaaron Benson - Apollo Beach FL, US
Mohamad Hussein - Odessa FL, US
Assignee:
H. Lee Moffit Cancer & Research Institute - Tampa FL
International Classification:
C12Q 1/37, C07K 7/06, C07K 7/08, G01N 33/48
US Classification:
435 23, 530328, 530327, 530326, 436 86
Abstract:
The subject invention concerns methods and materials for diagnosing, monitoring the progress, and/or providing a prognosis for multiple myeloma and other conditions associated with antibody production in a person or animal. The methods o f the invention utilize mass spectrometry for quantitative monitoring and detection of antibody produced by the plasma cells. The methods of the invention can be utilized for diagnosis, monitoring, and/or prognosis of multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy, and other immunological or hematological conditions and disorders. In addition to detecting and quantifying antibody in a sample, other biological markers, such as serum albumin and/or beta-2-microglobulin, can also be detected and quantified using the present invention, and in combination with detection and quantification of antibody. Thus, in one embodiment, both antibody and serum albumin and/or beta-2-microglobulin are detected and quantified using mass spectrometry and a diagnosis or prognosis made based on the results and levels detected.