New Research Review on Methods to Diagnosis Plasma Cancers

A new research review from AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program found there may not be sufficient evidence to determine whether the addition of the Serum Free Light Chain (SFLC) investigative procedure to traditional testing increases diagnostic accuracy for Plasma Cell Dyscrasias (PCD, a cancer of the plasma cells) or whether it helps predict disease progression. Although the SFLC procedure has been in use for a decade for PCD diagnosis, how best to incorporate it into practice remain unclear. The review, Serum-Free Light Chain Analysis for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prognosis of Plasma Cell Dyscrasias, determined that the evidence was mostly insufficient as to what extent adding SFLC to current tests improves diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring of therapy, and treatment decisions. The review found that more research is needed to understand the exact role of SFLC and the most effective use of the procedure across the full range of PCD cancers and clinical settings.

Research Review - Final – Aug. 23, 2012