Bence-Jones protein

biochemistry

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June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Bence-Jones proteins are polypeptide fragments composed of antibody light chains. They are primarily found in the urine of individuals with multiple myeloma, a malignant disease characterized by the overgrowth of plasma cells in the bone marrow.12

In multiple myeloma, malignant plasma cells produce an excess of a single type of immunoglobulin molecule, known as a monoclonal immunoglobulin. Often, the light chain component of this immunoglobulin is overproduced and appears in the urine as Bence-Jones proteins. The presence of these proteins can lead to chronic kidney disease, which is frequently the cause of death in patients with multiple myeloma. Treatment for multiple myeloma typically involves adrenocorticosteroid hormones and chemotherapeutic agents.2

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blood disease
Multiple myeloma
…multiple myeloma they are called Bence Jones proteins. A type of chronic kidney disease often develops, probably as a result of the high concentration of Bence Jones proteins in the kidney tubules; this frequently is the ultimate cause of death. Adrenocorticosteroid hormones and chemotherapeutic agents are used in the treatment…
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…multiple myeloma they are called Bence Jones proteins. A type of chronic kidney disease often develops, probably as a result of the high concentration of Bence Jones proteins in the kidney tubules; this frequently is the ultimate cause of death. Adrenocorticosteroid hormones and chemotherapeutic agents are used in the treatment…
Read More

protein
Immunoglobulins and antibodies
A protein called the Bence-Jones protein, which is found in the urine of patients suffering from myeloma tumors, is identical with the L chains of the myeloma protein. Each patient has a different Bence-Jones protein; no two of the more than 100 Bence-Jones proteins that have been analyzed thus…
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A protein called the Bence-Jones protein, which is found in the urine of patients suffering from myeloma tumors, is identical with the L chains of the myeloma protein. Each patient has a different Bence-Jones protein; no two of the more than 100 Bence-Jones proteins that have been analyzed thus…
Read More