The monoclonal gammopathies include multiple myeloma (MM), light chain multiple myeloma (LCMM), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), nonsecretory myeloma (NSMM), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), primary systemic amyloidosis (AL), and light chain deposition disease (LCDD). Monoclonal proteins are typically detected by serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation (IF). However, the monoclonal light chain diseases (LCMM, AL, LCDD) and NSMM often do not have serum monoclonal proteins in high enough concentration to be detected and quantitated by SPEP. A sensitive nephelometric assay specific for kappa free light chain (FLC) and lambda free light chain (FLC) that doesn't recognize light chains bound to Ig heavy chains has recently been described. This automated, nephelometric assay is reported to be more sensitive than IF for detection of monoclonal FLC. In some patients with NSMM, AL, or LCDD the FLC assay provides a positive identification of a monoclonal serum light chain when the serum IF is negative. In addition, the quantitation of FLC has been correlated with disease activity in patients with NSMM and AL.