[Clinical significance of beta 2-microglobulin content in nasopharyngeal secretion]

To study its clinical significance, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) in nasopharyngeal secretion was examined using radioimmunoassasy methods in 73 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), 30 with chronic nasopharyngitis and 30 normal control subjects. In 31 NPC patients, the examination was repeated before and after radiotherapy. The average concentrations of beta 2-MG were 4.87 +/- 2.51 mg/L in NPC group, 1.05 +/- 0.64 mg/L in chronic nasopharygitis group, and 0.85 +/- 0.32 mg/L in the control. The beta 2-MG concentration was higher in the NPC patients than in both chronic pharyngitis patients and normal subjects (P < 0.01). The concentration was lowered down in NPC patients after radiotherapy, and remained high when the treatment failed to control the condition. It seems that beta 2-MG level in nasopharyngeal secretion is closely related to the prognosis and recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.