Behaviour of Serum β2-Microglobulin and Acute Phase Reactant Proteins in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

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Abstract
Changes in serum-β2-microglobulin (β2-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 β2-m levels, whereas patients with progressive, predominantly Rai stage II-IV disease, had higher levels often showing rapid changes. Sequential measurements of serum β2-m show patterns of change that reflect and may anticipate the clinical progression of the disease.
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