title: beta2-microglobulin serum level is not a marker of disease activity in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) is a pharmacodynamic marker of interferon-beta activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). Its role in the natural course of the disease is not fully known. We analyzed the spontaneous fluctuation of beta2-MG in free-treatment MS patients during a short-time course to quantify beta2-MG as a marker of disease activity/progression. Thirty MS patients were clinically assessed and imaged monthly over a 3-month period. Sera were collected concomitantly for the evaluation of beta2-MG, by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sera from 20 healthy individuals (HI) were drawn and used as controls. The Mann-Whitney test was used when appropriate and time effect on radiological and biological measures was assessed by means of the random effect models. Eight (26.7%) patients experienced a clinical relapse but three (10%) required steroid treatment. A reduction in the contrast-enhancing lesion load (P = 0.02) and a trend (P = 0.07) toward a decrease in brain parenchyma fraction were observed. Baseline levels of beta2-MG were similar in patients and HI. Patients' beta2-MG values increased over the 3-month time period (P = 0.05) but did not exceed those detected in HI at any time point. These results failed to demonstrate the validity of beta2-MG as a surrogate marker of disease in MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University La Sapienza, Rome. francesca.bagnato@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bagnato
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zivadinov
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cecchinelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tancredi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grop
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pierallini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Lena
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prencipe
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reale
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zorzon
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Millefiorini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin