C. Ola Landgren, MD, PhD

About the interview

In this interview, Dr. C. Ola Landgren from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine discusses the diagnostic process for multiple myeloma and highlights the importance of recognizing key symptoms and laboratory findings. He emphasizes the significance of blood tests, including serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and serum free light chain (sFLC) assays, in diagnosing multiple myeloma. Dr. Landgren also addresses the higher prevalence and earlier onset of the disease in African American and Caribbean American populations, and the importance of using genomic markers for more accurate diagnosis and risk assessment.

Key discussion points:

• Common symptoms of multiple myeloma might be nonspecific such as back pain and fatigue
• The importance of serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE), and serum free light chain (sFLC) assays in diagnosing monoclonal gammopathies
• Elevated serum total protein levels should prompt further testing to distinguish between polyclonal and monoclonal protein
• African American and Caribbean American patients often present with multiple myeloma about ten years earlier than other populations
• Regular monitoring with blood tests is essential for patients with monoclonal gammopathy undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma