Monoclonal immunoglobulin with antitransferrin activity: a rare cause of hypersideremia with increased transferrin saturation

Abstract

Abstract Two unusual but similar cases of very high serum iron, extremely high transferrin concentrations (5.4 to 6.5 g/L), and increased transferrin saturation are reported. No anemia or microcytosis was observed. The ferritin concentration remained within the normal range, and no iron overload was observed. In one case, the in vivo half-life of 59Fe-labeled transferrin was shown to be prolonged (206 minutes versus 75 minutes for controls). In both patients, a monoclonal IgG was observed in the serum. The association between serum transferrin and monoclonal IgG was demonstrated by Western blot analysis and affinity chromatography. We suggest that the transferrin bound to the monoclonal IgG molecule has a prolonged half-life in the circulation, leading to high transferrin concentrations, and that the increased serum iron values prevent the onset of anemia. The antitransferrin activity of monoclonal antibody should be added to the list of situations accounting for elevated serum iron with elevated transferrin saturation.