LIGHT-CHAIN RATIOS AND CONCENTRATIONS OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN-G, IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A, AND IMMUNOGLOBULIN-M IN CHILDHOOD COMMON ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA

The light chain ratios and the concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG ), IgA, and IgM were measured before, during, and after antileukemic t herapy in 1 0 patients with common acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The c oncentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM decreased substantially during trea tment but recovered slowly after cessation of the therapy. The light c hain ratios were not systematically affected, but at diagnosis the kap pa/lambda ratios of total serum Igs, IgG, and in particular IgM were s omewhat lower in the patient group compared with an age-matched refere nce group. It is concluded that, despite a decrease in serum Ig concen trations, virtually normal kappa/lambda ratios are preserved, indicati ng that kappa and lambda syntheses are affected to the same extent. Th ese ratios remained normal for age during the recovery of the serum Ig concentrations; the features as described for the development of the light chain ratios in childhood were not observed.