title: Multiple myeloma: beta-2-microglobulin is not a useful follow-up parameter.
abstract: Serum beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2M) has been suggested as the most powerful prognostic factor in multiple myeloma (MM). This paper investigates its ability to detect remission and relapse in individual patients. A correlation analysis was carried out between beta 2M and M component determinations, at diagnosis and monthly during follow-up in 21 consecutive MM patients with normal renal function. A statistically significant correlation was observed in 52.4% only. The lack of correlation in the remaining cases was due to low beta 2M production at diagnosis, or independent fluctuation of these 2 parameters. Serum beta 2M proved a much less reliable parameter for the detection of tumour variations than simpler M-component determination.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina e Oncologia Sperimentale, Cattedra di Ematologia, Università di Torino, Italia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boccadoro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Omedè
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frieri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Battaglio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gallone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massaia
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Redoglia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pileri
mesh_terms: D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin