Elevated beta-2-microglobulin in the serum of patients with AIDS defining malignancies (Meeting abstract).

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Elevated beta-2-microglobulin in the serum of patients with AIDS defining malignancies (Meeting abstract).

Proc Annu Meet Am Soc Clin Oncol; 13:A15 1994. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/94600012
McPherson E; Perez M; Tassy P; Hazel E; Memorial Hospital-RIMA, Department of Medicine, AIDS Program,; Hematology/Oncology, Roosevelt Island, NY

Abstract: Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) is present on the surface of many somatic cells including T and B lymphocytes and macrophages as a subunit of the class I major histocompatibility complex. Serum B2M concentrations reflect immune-system activation and elevated levels of B2M are seen in patients with AIDS-defining malignancies (ADM) when compared to a control group of AIDS patients stage for stage. B2M was analyzed in sera of 22 patients, 10 patients with AIDS (control group) and 12 patients with ADM [2 CNS - lymphomas, 1 rectal lymphoma and 9 Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS)]. There were 21 males and 1 female with a median age of 38 years (range 27-67). Patients with AIDS were staged according to CDC criteria and ADM patients (KS according to proposed classification, J Clin Oncol 7:9, 1201-07, 1989). All patients received zidovudine (AZT) for 8-16 wk prior to B2M measurements. B2M was analyzed via an enzyme immunoassay (MetPath, Teterboro, NJ). The reference level was 288 nmol/L. 4/10 patients (40%) in the control group had an elevated B2M with a mean of 277 nmol/L. 10/12 patients (83%) in the ADM group had an elevated B2M with a mean of 430 nmol/L (p less than 0.005). All patients in the control group had a Karnofsky performance status (KPS) greater than 70%. 8/12 ADM patients (67%) had a KPS less than 70%. The mean CD4 cell level in the control and ADM group was 105/ul and 37/ul, respectively. In conclusion, serum B2M levels may be a useful correlate for aggressive AIDS-defining malignant tumors.

Keywords: beta 2-Microglobulin/*METABOLISM Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/BLOOD/*DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY Adult Aged Female Human Lymphoma, AIDS-Related/BLOOD/*DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY Male Middle Age Neoplasm Staging Sarcoma, Kaposi's/BLOOD/*DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY Skin Neoplasms/BLOOD/*DIAGNOSIS/PATHOLOGY ABSTRACT CLINICAL TRIAL
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M9480787

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