Alteration of beta-2-microglobulin level in malignant lymphoproliferative diseases after a high dose of...

A group of 10 patients with malignant lymphoproliferative diseases resistant to any standard therapeutical modalities were treated with a high dose of alpha-2-recombinant interferon (alpha-2-rIF). Alpha-2-rIF was administered at a total dose of 120 x 10(6) IU in a continuous infusion during 48 h. Two cycles of alpha-2-rIF immunotherapy were employed with an interval of 1 month in between each. Serum and urinary beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) were examined prior to alpha-2-rIF application and on days 2, 4, 6 afterwards. Alpha-2-rIF treatment induced an increase in serum B2M as noted on day 2 followed by a decline to below the normal range. The initial increased value was significantly higher as compared to either the pretreatment value or the normal physiological range. The reduced B2M serum level was protracted and lasted until the second cycle of treatment. Similar but not so great changes in B2M serum values were noted during the second application of alpha-2-rIF. The changes of B2M level in the urine, although less convincing, mimic those observed in the serum. The present results confirmed the biological activity of alpha-2-rIF in malignant lymphoproliferative diseases.