Lambda myeloma antigen (LMA) (LMA)

The Lambda Myeloma Antigen (LMA) is a tumor-associated antigen found on the surface of malignant plasma cells in patients with lambda-type multiple myeloma (Bahlis et al., Blood, 2004). It is characterized by the unique association of lambda light chains with the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane, creating a specific conformational epitope that is not present on normal plasma cells or B lymphocytes (Bahlis et al., Clinical Cancer Research, 2005). This lipid-associated lambda light chain (L-ALC) remains tethered to the cell surface rather than being purely secreted into the extracellular environment. LMA serves as a highly specific target for monoclonal antibody therapies, such as the experimental antibody 133.1 and its humanized versions, which aim to induce tumor cell death through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and phagocytosis (Bahlis et al., 2005). Because LMA expression is restricted to the malignant clone in lambda-restricted disease, it offers a potential pathway for targeted immunotherapy with minimal off-target effects on healthy tissues, although the presence of circulating free light chains remains a consideration for therapeutic efficacy.

Other names

Lipid-associated lambda light chainL-ALCLambda-type myeloma-associated antigenSurface-associated lambda light chain

Induction of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) against malignant plasma cells (Bahlis et al., Blood, 2004).