Answers from the Lab

Maria Alice Willrich, Ph.D., discusses kappa free light chain testing, Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ innovative new approach to evaluating for multiple sclerosis. The automated assay detects and measures immunoglobulin kappa free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid. Faster, less expensive, and more sensitive than traditional oligoclonal banding analysis, kappa free light chain testing is a significant quality improvement over manual testing that yields objective, qualitative test results.

Show Notes

(00:32) Before we get started, Dr. Willrich, can you give us a quick introduction of yourself and your role here at Mayo Clinic?

(01:13) Can you give us a little bit of background about what kappa free light chain testing is and the importance of the multiple sclerosis test?

(05:01) Can you give us a brief discussion about what this publication means and what it means to patients and physicians as a whole?

(06:12) So when it comes to these methods, what should you tell physicians? You know, why we should use kappa free light chains other than those other methods?

(08:39) When it comes to this new approach, can you tell me about how does this really impact the patients? 

(10:18) Thanks so much for that information, Dr. Willrich , can you tell me, what does this mean for the patients?

(12:08) With you being one of the authors for this publication, can you tell me what this publication means to you and what it should mean to everyone else?

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A Mayo Clinic curated podcast sharing Mayo Clinic knowledge and advancements on the state of testing, science, and people who are making it happen behind the scenes.