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Heavy Chain Diseases

By

James R. Berenson

, MD, Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research

Reviewed/Revised Jun 2023
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Heavy chain diseases are plasma cell cancers in which a clone of plasma cells produces a large quantity of pieces of abnormal antibodies called heavy chains.

If a single plasma cell B cells One of the body's lines of defense ( immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more B cells multiplies excessively, the resulting group of genetically identical cells (called a clone) produces a large quantity of a single type of antibody Antibodies One of the body's lines of defense ( immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more Antibodies . Because this antibody is made by a single clone, it is called a monoclonal antibody and also is known as the M-protein. People with a large quantity of the M protein often have reduced levels of other antibodies. In some cases, the antibody produced is incomplete, consisting of only light chains or heavy chains (functional antibodies normally consist of two pairs of two different chains called a light chain and heavy chain).

There are 5 classes of antibodies— IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE, and IgD. Each class has its own type of heavy chain.

The main heavy chain diseases are categorized according to the type of heavy chain produced:

  • Alpha (from IgA)

  • Gamma (from IgG)

  • Mu (from IgM)

Alpha Heavy Chain Disease

Alpha heavy chain disease (IgA heavy chain disease) affects mainly younger adults of Middle Eastern or Mediterranean ancestry. Infiltration of the intestinal tract wall by cancerous plasma cells often prevents proper absorption of nutrients from food (malabsorption Overview of Malabsorption Malabsorption syndrome refers to a number of disorders in which nutrients from food are not absorbed properly in the small intestine. Certain disorders, infections, and surgical procedures can... read more ), resulting in severe diarrhea and weight loss. A rare form affects the respiratory tract.

Doctors do blood tests when they suspect alpha heavy chain disease. Such tests include serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), measurement of immunoglobulins, and immunoelectrophoresis. SPEP is a test that measures specific proteins in the plasma Plasma The main components of blood include Plasma Red blood cells White blood cells Platelets read more Plasma to help identify some diseases. Immunoelectrophoresis is a more specialized version of this test, in which proteins are separated out and identified based on the detectable immunologic reactions they produce.

Urine tests may also be needed. Sometimes tissue from the intestine is removed and examined (biopsy).

Alpha heavy chain disease progresses rapidly, and some affected people die within 1 to 2 years. In other people, treatment with cyclophosphamide, prednisone (a corticosteroid), and antibiotics may slow the progression of the disease or lead to a remission.

Gamma Heavy Chain Disease

Infiltration of the bone marrow by cancerous plasma cells causes some people to have symptoms of recurring infections, such as repeated episodes of fever and chills associated with a decreased number of white blood cells, and fatigue and weakness associated with severe anemia Overview of Anemia Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells is low. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that enables them to carry oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to all parts... read more . Cancerous plasma cells may also enlarge the liver and spleen.

Blood and urine tests are needed to make the diagnosis.

People with symptoms may respond to chemotherapy drugs, corticosteroids, and radiation therapy. But gamma heavy chain disease usually progresses rapidly, and about half of affected people die within about a year.

Mu Heavy Chain Disease

Mu heavy chain disease (IgM heavy chain disease), the rarest of the three main heavy chain diseases, most often affects people over 50. It may cause enlargement of the liver and spleen as well as enlargement of the lymph nodes in the abdomen. Fractures and amyloidosis Amyloidosis Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which abnormally folded proteins form into collections called amyloid fibrils that accumulate in various tissues and organs, sometimes leading to organ dysfunction... read more Amyloidosis may also occur.

Blood and urine tests are typically done. Bone marrow examination is usually needed for diagnosis.

Treatment usually includes chemotherapy drugs and corticosteroids. Length of survival and response to treatment vary widely.

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