title: Behaviour of serum beta 2-microglobulin and acute phase reactant proteins in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. A multicentre study.
abstract: Changes in serum-beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) levels were measured in 52 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia during periods of observation of 5-43 months. While the majority of patients had elevated levels (> 3 mg/l), higher values tended to be associated with more advanced disease as assessed clinically. Patients with nonprogressive, predominantly Rai stage 0 and I disease had persistently normal or near normal beta 2-m levels, whereas patients with progressive, predominantly Rai stage II-IV disease, had higher levels often showing rapid changes. Sequential measurements of serum beta 2-m show patterns of change that reflect and may anticipate the clinical progression of the disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001609:Beta-Globulins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002570:Ceruloplasmin; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009961:Orosomucoid; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D009961:Orosomucoid; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002570:Ceruloplasmin