Beta-2-Microglobulin

What the laboratory says this test is for

Chronic Lymphocytic leukemia is the most common leukemia in the Western world. The disease is chronic and most patients may not require therapy in the early stage of the disease. However, in some patients the disease can be aggressive and within a year the tumor mass may increase significantly imposing serious health problems to the patient. It is difficult to determine based on clinical presentation which patient will progress faster than the others. Therefore, there is a need to use more accurate prognostic indicator to predict the clinical course of this disease. The recent advances in CLL therapy and biology made it possible to develop new tests and a combination of these tests.

What the laboratory says this test is for

Beta-2-Microglobulin (B2M) is a low molecular weight protein that forms the light chain component of the histocompatibility antigen. It is synthesized by all nucleated cell types. It is an integral part of the class I MHC antigens and is present in all body fluids. B2M is filtered through the glomeruli of the kidney and is then reabsorbed and catabolised by the proximal tubular cells. In normal patients only trace amounts of B2M appear in the urine. Elevated urine B2M is seen in tubulo-interstitial disorders. Increased urine B2M is seen in cadmium exposure, diatrizoate, exercise, fever, nephrectomy, semen. There is evidence that monitoring B2M levels in HIV-infected individuals offers an independent predictor of progression to AIDS, leukemia and lymphoma.

What the laboratory says this test is for

Chronic Lymphocytic leukemia is the most common leukemia in the Western world. The disease is chronic and most patients may not require therapy in the early stage of the disease. However, in some patients the disease can be aggressive and within a year the tumor mass may increase significantly imposing serious health problems to the patient. It is difficult to determine based on clinical presentation which patient will progress faster than the others. Therefore, there is a need to use more accurate prognostic indicator to predict the clinical course of this disease. The recent advances in CLL therapy and biology made it possible to develop new tests and a combination of these tests (panel) provide more accurate information.

What the laboratory says this test is for

This panel is used for monitoring workers for potential exposure to cadmium in the workplace. The beta-2-microglobulin, blood and urine cadmium are integrated to specify the exposure category.