title: Serum beta-2-microglobulin binding activity in monoclonal gammopathy: correlative study and clinical significance.
abstract: Serum beta 2m binding activity (S beta 2m-BA) was determined by a polyethylene glycol exclusion test of radiolabeled human beta 2m in 185 serum samples from 62 patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Elevated S beta 2m-BA was found in more than half of the samples from IgG myeloma taken before treatment or during progression of the disease but not during the plateau-phase. Conversely, elevated S beta 2m-BA was found in only one case of IgA myeloma, one case of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and none of the Bence Jones myelomas. S beta 2m-BA appears to be related to disease progression in IgG myeloma. The activity is supported by minute amounts of serum autoantibodies which are distinct from the monoclonal component. S beta 2m-BA was independent from serum beta 2m levels.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001536:Bence Jones Protein / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006942:Hypergammaglobulinemia / Q000097:blood*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood*; D011485:Protein Binding; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D001536:Bence Jones Protein