Question

On occasion, leukemia or lymphoma is discovered in abnormal results of routine blood tests. For example, above-normal white blood cell counts (leukocytosis) can be caused by immune cancers. Other immune cancers are diagnosed by abnormally high levels of antibodies in the blood. The antibody is usually of just one type, indicating that a single cell is dividing uncontrollably and secreting this antibody.

What type of immune cell is the likely source of this antibody?

_____________?

Answer 1

The type of immune cells is likely to be Plasma cells.

These cells are a type of white blood cells, forming a main part of the immune system and defending the body from infection. Plasma cells are responsible for the production of antibodies, which recognize bacteria and viruses (with the help of T-cells), and aid in their destruction.

When plasma cells become cancerous, a condition called Myeloma arises. Normally in the case of myeloma, one plasma cell at first becomes cancerous. This abnormal cell, through a series of cell divisions, goes on to produce many identical abnormal plasma cells. In most cases of myeloma, the cancerous plasma cell makes large quantities of one antibody. This single type of antibody is called a paraprotein (which is also called as a monoclonal antibody).