Learn about all myeloma happenings on the new Myeloma Crowd site: the first comprehensive site for myeloma patients and caregivers. Dr. Stephen Harding The Binding Site Group Interview Date: July 18, 2014

 No myeloma patient wants to hear the word "relapse," but how can we identify it early so it can be treated? A new FDA approved test called Hevylite® is now available that can pick up myeloma growth before it is seen in the standard SPEP and IFE tests. This new test can also help identify minimal residual disease, even if patients are considered to be have a complete response (CR) or stringent complete response (sCR) using the traditional tests. A test called Freelite* was the first to help myeloma patients identify "normal" and "abnormal" free light chains (kappa and lambda) and the ratio between the two. The Hevylite test expands our knowledge to also tell us how the immune system is responding - is it still suppressed or is it bouncing back?  The Hevylite test looks at the heavy part of the chain (IgG, IgA, IgM), immunoglobulins which protect agains bacterial and viral infections. Even small amounts of abnormal light chains can be bad for the immune system and this new test can help patients tell how their myeloma is responding to treatment and how their immune system is recovering (or not). In this show, Dr. Stephen Harding of The Binding Site Group in the UK gives great detail about the use and benefits of the Hevylite test and how it is entering the clinic. This test is now available at the Mayo Clinic and LabCorp and its use is expected to become a regular tool in monitoring myeloma and in testing for minimal residual disease.  * For more on the Freelite test, the IMF has a very helpful brochure here. Watch for a new brochure explaining the Hevylite test on www.myeloma.org coming soon. The live mPatient Myeloma Radio podcast with Dr. Stephen Harding