Beta-2 microglobulin--an immunogenetic marker of inflammatory and malignant origin.

Major contributions have been made in the last few years to the knowledge of the structure, fate and cellular origin of beta-2 microglobulin (B2M); but the question of its function still remains unclear. The concept of B2M being simply a marker of renal physiology seems less satisfactory when reference is made to its relationship to the immunogenetic system. Although assay of B2M cannot be considered as a specific diagnostic tool, it still may be regarded as a useful parameter in monitoring inflammatory, malignant, and auto-immune disease activity.