Abstract:

In this study, immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement in peripheral blood or bone marrow smear of multiple myeloma (MM) patients by PCR techniques was analyzed.Out of 21 patients, 17 were found to be positive and 4 negative, two of which were light chain type.This positive rate of peripheral blood IgH gene rearrangement was the same as that of bone marrow.These results suggest that the detection of IgH gene rearrangement is one of the most sensitive method for the diagnosis of MM,which can counteract the weaknesses of morphology and serology.

Key words: multiple myeloma, PCR, gene rearrangement