MASS-FIX is a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry method Mayo Clinic Laboratories now employs to detect monoclonal proteins. In this "Test in Focus" episode of the "Answers From the Lab" podcast, David Murray, M.D., Ph.D., explains this innovative testing approach that's used to screen patients for plasma cell disorders and monitor patients being treated for multiple myeloma. Dr. Murray also describes the significant advantages MASS-FIX offers over traditional testing methods, including gel electrophoresis.
"We're getting closer to a cure for multiple myeloma. But to get there, we need to detect smaller levels of disease at earlier stages," Dr. Murray says. "In addition, monoclonal therapeutics are now used frequently, and it becomes very difficult to look for monoclonal immunoglobulins as a disease marker when patients are being treated with similar monoclonal proteins. Both of those factors have pushed electrophoresis methods to their analytical limits."
Dr. Murray notes that MASS-FIX has the ability to overcome those limitations and provide both heightened sensitivity and specificity. Because of that, Mayo Clinic has transitioned to using this testing approach in all situations where gel electrophoresis used to be employed. Listen to learn more about how MASS-FIX enhances screening for plasma cell disorders — including multiple myeloma, smoldering myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and amyloidosis — as well as improves monitoring and guides treatment for people with multiple myeloma.
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Monoclonal Gammopathy Screen, Serum (Mayo ID: DMOGA)
Protein Electrophoresis and Isotype, Serum (Mayo Test ID: PEISO)
Monoclonal Gammopathy Monitoring, Serum (Mayo ID: TMOGA)
M-Protein Isotype, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry, Serum (Mayo Test ID: MALD)
Monoclonal Gammopathy Screen, Serum (Mayo ID: DMOGA)
Protein Electrophoresis and Isotype, Serum (Mayo Test ID: PEISO)
Monoclonal Gammopathy Monitoring, Serum (Mayo ID: TMOGA)
M-Protein Isotype, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry, Serum (Mayo Test ID: MALD)
Monoclonal Gammopathy Screen, Serum (Mayo ID: DMOGA)
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum
Protein Electrophoresis and Isotype, Serum (Mayo Test ID: PEISO), Monoclonal Gammopathy Monitoring, Serum (Mayo ID: TMOGA), and M-Protein Isotype, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry, Serum (Mayo Test ID: MALD)
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum
Monoclonal Gammopathy Screen, Serum (Mayo ID: DMOGA)
Protein Electrophoresis and Isotype, Serum (Mayo Test ID: PEISO)
Monoclonal Gammopathy Monitoring, Serum (Mayo ID: TMOGA)
M-Protein Isotype, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry, Serum (Mayo Test ID: MALD)