β-2 microglobulin: a prognostic factor in diffuse aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Abstract

beta-2 microglobulin levels were measured in stored serum taken at presentation from 262 patients treated with combination chemotherapy for Kiel classification high-grade lymphoma at a single centre over a 15 year period. A significant association was found between elevated levels and advanced (Ann Arbor stage III or IV) disease or hepatic infiltration, but not with other sites of extranodal involvement or bulky disease. Patients with normal levels at presentation had a 70% remission rate with treatment compared to 37% of those with elevated levels (P < 0.001). With median follow up of 6 years duration of remission was significantly greater in patients with normal beta-2 microglobulin at presentation (plateau at 70%, compared to median remission of 19 months in those with raised levels, P < 0.001). Survival overall was also better in the group with normal levels (actuarial median 9 years compared to 1 year, P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses including treatment type, age, sex, B symptoms, stage, bulk, albumin, sodium, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and beta-2 microglobulin, placed beta-2 microglobulin among the three most influential independent variables for prediction of response rate, duration of remission and overall survival.

A modified scoring of the NCCN‐IPI is more accurate in the elderly and is improved by albumin and β2‐microglobulin

“…Albumin and b 2 -microglobulin are described in the literature as independent prognostic factors in aggressive lymphoma (Steward et al, 1984;Cowan et al, 1989;Johnson et al, 1993). We confirmed the independent negative prognostic impact of low serum albumin and high b 2 -microglobulin in multivariate analyses despite the improved performance of the NCCN-IPI (see Table IV).…”

Primary Gastrointestinal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma:A Population Based Study in Central Finland in 1975–1993

“…20, 21 ). Recently lactate dehydrogenase and beta-2-microglobulin have been found to be good predictors of response rate and survival in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (22). In the present retrospective series in which serum samples were not available the stage of distribution and the radicality of surgery were the most influencing factors.…”

Outcomes Using Doxorubicin-Based Chemotherapy with or without Radiotherapy for Early-Stage Peripheral T-cell Lymphomas

“…Anderson tumor score (MDATS) [16] and the international prognostic index (IPI) [17] are presented in Table I. MDATS differs from IPI in that bulky disease [18] and serum beta-2 microglobulin [19,20] are taken into consideration. Stage-adjusted scores were calculated in this study since none of the patients had Stage III -IV disease.…”