The main difference between kappa and lambda light chain is that the kappa light chain is encoded by chromosome 2 of the human genome, whereas the lambda light chain is encoded by chromosome 22 of the human genome. The kappa and lambda light chains are the two types of light chains occurring in antibodies. The normal ratio between kappa and lambda light chains is 2:1 serum. Each antibody consists of two heavy chains and two light chains. They increase proportionately, maintaining the normal ratio. If a patient has kappa myeloma, their doctor will watch for a rise in the kappa numbers. Likewise, the lambda number will be watched if a patient has lambda myeloma.

Good question everyone should know the answer, as well as the difference between IgG and IgA. Myeloma is all about your prognosis and the likelihood of relapse with treatment and your longevity. There are so many individual factors, with myeloma. However, looking a light chains and heavy chains Lambda has a 3 times worse prognosis than kappa and IgA has a 22% worse prognosis than IgG. Information is on those statistics is readily available. You have to take this information to heart when thinking about myeloma treatment and maintenance. 70% of myeloma patients have IgG heavy chains - and that is really good news, a little less good news is 15-20% myeloma patients have IgA. Knowledge is power!

It’s the light chain that harm the kidneys not the heavy chains FYI.

Be patient Kathryn. It reminds me of my vocabulary building class in high school. We are all learning together.

Robert's information is correct as well. A normal kappa lambda ratio is 2:1. It's important to know if your myeloma is kappa or lambda. A rise in kappa light chains will make your ratio go up when kappa light chain myeloma is active. A rise in lambda light chains will make your ratio go down. If lambda light chain myeloma is active.