Beta-2-Microglobulin as a Tumor Marker in Solid Malignancies

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Abstract
Beta-2-microglobulin ((32-MG) and CEA were measured in the sera of 186 cancer patients divided into two groups: at diagnosis (D) and at follow-up (F). Four groups of patients at diagnosis (D-I, D-II, D-III and D-IV according to TNM classification) and two at follow-up (in remission, F-RS, and in relapse, F-RP) were considered. All patients had normal serum creatinine and urea concentrations. β2-MG values in D-I were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than those for D-II and D-III, while in D-IV they overlapped those of group D-I. No significant difference was observed between F-RS and F-RP patients. Patients with serum CEA concentration > 100 ng/ml revealed pVMG values close to those of groups D-I and D-IV. In 10% of patients in stage IV or with CEA > 100 ng/ml pVMG was lower than the mean value of the healthy population. From data pVMG is probably produced by an aspecific reaction to the tumor and the decrease in advanced stages could express a decreased immunologic response. On the other hand, high serum β2-MG in the initial stages of the neoplasia may reflect an elevated cell turnover, while low β2-MG during the final stages may be due to a weak expression of the protein by highly undifferentiated cells.

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