Immunoglobulin kappa constant (IGKC) (IGKC)

The immunoglobulin kappa light chain (IGKC) is a critical component of the B-cell receptor (BCR) complex found on the surface of B lymphocytes. In healthy individuals, B cells are polyclonal, expressing either kappa or lambda light chains in a balanced ratio. However, malignant B-cell proliferations, such as those in B-cell lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, are typically monoclonal and exhibit light chain restriction, expressing only one type of light chain. This characteristic makes the surface kappa light chain an ideal therapeutic target for kappa-restricted malignancies. By targeting the kappa light chain, therapies like CAR-T cells can selectively destroy the cancerous clone while sparing the healthy lambda-expressing B-cell population, potentially preserving some humoral immunity. Current research focuses on utilizing this specificity to treat relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and other plasma cell dyscrasias (Ramos et al., 2016, J Clin Invest; UniProt P01834).

Other names

Kappa light chainIg kappa chain C regionImmunoglobulin kappa light chainSurface immunoglobulin kappasIg-kappa

Targeted elimination of kappa-restricted malignant B cells via chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell mediated cytotoxicity or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).