title: [Prognostic importance of beta-2-microglobulin in multiple myeloma].
abstract: Beta 2 microglobulin is a low molecular weight protein found on the surface of all nucleated cells: it is the light chain of the HL-A histocompatibility complex. The increased levels of serum beta 2 microglobulin in patients with multiple myeloma have been associated with a poor prognosis. Pretreatment levels of serum beta 2 microglobulin were estimated in 70 previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma. In a multivariate analysis, serum beta 2 microglobulin levels and stage were the most significant prognostic factors for survival independent of other risk factors associated with a worse prognosis. There was a clear difference in survival duration observed between the patients with a high pretreatment level of beta 2 microglobulin and stage III (none alive at 5 years) compared with patients with normal levels and stage I (80% alive at five years) (p less than .001). We conclude that pretreatment-beta 2 microglobulin level is one of the most useful prognostic factors in patients with multiple myeloma.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Hematología, Hospital de Oncología, México, D.F.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avilés
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zepeda
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talavera
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Díaz-Maqueo
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009194:Myeloma Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009194:Myeloma Proteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin
vernacular_title: Importancia pronóstica de la beta 2-microglobulina en mieloma múltiple.