Oligo-/monoclonal gammopathy and hypergammaglobulinemia in ataxia-telangiectasia. A study of 90 patients

Medicine (Baltimore). 1999 Nov;78(6):370-81. doi: 10.1097/00005792-199911000-00002.

Abstract

We investigated the presence of hypergammaglobulinemia and oligo-/monoclonal gammopathy in 90 patients (from 80 families) with ataxia-telangiectasia ranging in age from 2 to 29 years. Of the 90 patients, 38.8% displayed hypergammaglobulinemia. An isolated increase in IgM was the most common finding (23.3%) followed by a simultaneous increase in IgM and IgG (8.8%), an isolated increase in IgA (3.3%), an elevated level of IgG (2.2%) and a concomitant increase in IgM and IgA (1.1%), respectively. Seven of the patients (8.1%) had oligo-/monoclonal gammopathy. The gammopathies included all major immunoglobulin isotypes. Chemotherapeutic intervention in 2 cases precipitated the emergence of new clones within a matter of weeks. Further investigation of oligo-/monoclonal gammopathies in these patients may lead to a clearer understanding of the clinical course and provide further insight into the underlying mechanisms of B-cell abnormalities in ataxia-telangiectasia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia / complications*
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diseases in Twins
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / blood
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / etiology*
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / blood
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Paraproteinemias / blood
  • Paraproteinemias / etiology*
  • Paraproteinemias / genetics
  • Paraproteinemias / pathology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes