National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Gamma heavy chain disease


Other Names:
IgG heavy chain disease; Franklin disease; Gamma heavy chain deposition disease
Gamma heavy chain disease is characterized by the abnormal production of antibodies.[1] Antibodies are made up of light chains and heavy chains. In this disorder, the heavy chain of the gamma antibody (IgG) is overproduced by the body.  Gamma heavy chain disease mainly affects older adults and is similar to aggressive malignant (cancerous) lymphoma.[2] However, some people with this disorder have no symptoms. People with symptoms may respond to chemotherapy drugs, corticosteroids, and radiation therapy.[3] Approximately one-third of individuals with gamma heavy chain disease are also diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.[1]
Last updated: 7/25/2010
The severity of symptoms varies widely among people with gamma heavy chain disease. Symptoms include, fever, mild anemia, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), recurrent upper respiratory infections, and enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly).[1]
Last updated: 7/25/2010
The causes or risk factors for gamma heavy chain disease are not known.[1]
Last updated: 7/25/2010
People with symptoms may respond to chemotherapy drugs, corticosteroids, and radiation therapy.[2][3] Commonly used chemotherapeutic agents include cyclophosphamide, prednisone, vincristine, chlorambucil and doxorubicin. Patients are most commonly treated and followed by oncologists and/or hematologists.[1]

Additional information about treatment of gamma heavy chain disease can be found through PubMed, a searchable database of biomedical journal articles. Although not all of the articles are available for free online, most articles listed in PubMed have a summary available. To obtain the full article, contact a medical/university library or your local library for interlibrary loan. You can also order articles online through the publisher's Web site. Using "gamma heavy chain disease [ti] AND treatment" as your search term should help you locate articles. Use the advanced search feature to narrow your results. Click here to view a search.

Last updated: 7/25/2010

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals provides more detailed information on heavy chain diseases.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Gamma heavy chain disease. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • My mother has been diagnosed with gamma heavy chain disease. How can this disease be treated? Several members of my family have autoimmune diseases like those that may be associated with gamma heavy chain disease. Can this condition be prevented?  See answer


  1. Brick W, Faguet GB, Burgess R. Heavy Chain Disease, Gamma. eMedicine Journal. April 15, 2009; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/200675-overview. Accessed 7/25/2010.
  2. Heavy chain diseases. Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. July 2008; http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec11/ch144/ch144b.html. Accessed 7/25/2010.
  3. Heavy chain diseases. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. July 2008; http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch175/ch175e.html. Accessed 7/25/2010.