title: Prognostic value of serum thymidine kinase and beta 2 microglobulin in subjects affected by multiple myeloma.
abstract: The authors, using a radio-enzymatic and a radio-immunological method, investigated the serum levels of Thymidine Kinase (TK) and Beta 2 Microglobulin (Beta 2M) in 24 subjects affected by Multiple Myeloma (MM) and in 10 controls. The data obtained confirm the good prognostical significance already reported for TK and Beta 2M in subjects with MM. First of all, the results indicate higher levels of TK compared to the controls (9.31 U/l vs 2.9 U/l - p less than 0.005). Similarly, also the levels of Beta 2M indicate a significant increase compared to the healthy subjects. Both TK and Beta 2M levels increased with the progression of the stage of the disease (6.69 mg/ml vs 1.67 mg/ml - p less than 0.005). After therapy there was a significant decrease of TK and Beta 2M levels in responders. Finally, TK demonstrated to be able to detect during the follow-up a possible relapse of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Instituto di Medicina Interna, Policlinico Universitario di Messina.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Musolino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allegra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grosso
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alonci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cincotta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Squadrito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D011379:Prognosis; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D013937:Thymidine Kinase