A case of solitary plasmacytoma of bone showing co-expression of both immunoglobulin light chains

Eur J Med Res. 2021 Dec 20;26(1):148. doi: 10.1186/s40001-021-00621-8.

Abstract

Background: Solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB) is a rare plasma cell neoplasm. It arises in bone as a single locus in the absence of any plasma cell myeloma lesions. Plasma cell neoplasms intrinsically express only one immunoglobulin light chain (IgL)-kappa or lambda-and using this fact, kappa/lambda deviation is the decisive factor for diagnosis. Co-expression of both IgLs in a single tumor cell is extremely rare.

Case presentation: We report a case of SPB that arose in the vertebra of a 52-year-old Japanese woman. Histologically, the resected mass showed diffuse plasma cell proliferation. Dual IgL expression was detected by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization (ISH) targeting IgL mRNA.

Conclusion: We have presented an extremely rare case of SPB showing dual expression of kappa and lambda IgLs. This unusual case of plasma cell neoplasia might represent a possible exceptional example of failure of "IgL isotypic exclusion."

Keywords: Allelic exclusion; Case report; Dual immunoglobulin light chain expression; Isotypic exclusion; Solitary plasmacytoma of bone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Bone Neoplasms / genetics
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Plasmacytoma / diagnosis*
  • Plasmacytoma / genetics
  • Plasmacytoma / metabolism

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains