SERUM BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-MYELOMA TREATED WITH ALPHA-INTERFERON

In ten patients with multiple myeloma (MM), serum beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) levels were monitored in order to clarify the influence of alph a interferon (IFN) administration. Despite decreases in M-protein and the absence of renal dysfunction, the levels of serum B2M were sustain ed above those prior to melphalan-prednisolone and IFN therapy in seve n patients with MM for six months. Serum B2M did not increase in ten p atients with MM treated only by melphalan-prednisolone. Furthermore, s erum B2M levels in a patient who achieved a complete response were sus tained above her prior level and returned to normal after cession of I FN therapy. Our study suggests that the serum B2M level is increased b y treatment with IFN, and does not prove the condition of the disease.