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Beta 2-microglobulin (B2-m) determinations in serum have recently been introduced as a method of stratifying patients suffering from multiple myeloma. Conflicting results from several studies prompted us to study retrospectively the correlation of B2-m with presenting features and disease stage, as well as the prognostic value of B2-m, in 87 myeloma patients. Significant correlations were found between B2-m and presenting features such as haemoglobin level, serum calcium level and total body myeloma cell mass. The strongest correlation existed between B2-m and serum creatinine (r = 0.68). B2-m did not discriminate between the different disease stages as defined by Durie and Salmon, nor between myeloma Stage IA and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Considered alone, B2-m was found to have prognostic value in terms of survival. This correlation disappeared after correction for serum creatinine level and tumour load (multivariate analysis). Furthermore, changes in tumour load during therapy were not reflected in changes in B2-m levels, thereby rendering B2-m levels invalid as tumour marker. Our findings indicate no value for B2-m determinations in the staging and follow-up of myeloma patients.
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
August 1986,
British journal of haematology,
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
January 1986,
British journal of haematology,
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
December 1987,
European journal of cancer & clinical oncology,
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
March 1981,
Revue du rhumatisme et des maladies osteo-articulaires,
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
January 1982,
Acta medica Austriaca,
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
January 1991,
Life sciences,
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
January 2004,
The Central African journal of medicine,
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
December 1985,
American journal of hematology,
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
January 1984,
Acta haematologica Polonica,
O A van Dobbenburgh, and
S Rodenhuis, and
T Ockhuizen, and
E Weltevreden, and
B Houwen, and
V Fidler, and
S Meijer, and
J Marrink
January 1983,
Cancer detection and prevention,
