Behaviour of serum beta 2-microglobulin and acute phase reactant proteins in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. A multicentre study.

Changes in serum-beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-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 beta 2-m levels, whereas patients with progressive, predominantly Rai stage II-IV disease, had higher levels often showing rapid changes. Sequential measurements of serum beta 2-m show patterns of change that reflect and may anticipate the clinical progression of the disease.