Abstract
Beta-2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and CF.A 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-R S, and in relapse. F-R P) were considered. All patients had normal serum creatinine and urea concentrations. β2-MG values in D-l were significantly (p 100 ng/ml revealed β2-MG values close to those of groups D-I and D-IV. In 10% of patients in stage IV or with CEA > 100 ng/ml β2-MG was lower than the mean value of the healthy population. From data β2-MG 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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 162-165 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Oncology |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1988 |
Keywords
- Carcinoembryonic antigen
- Solid tumors
- Tumor marker
- β<inf>2</inf>-Microglobulin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cancer Research
- Oncology