Serum B2-microglobulin determinations in patients bearing soft tissue sarcomas

To determine whether serum beta 2-microglobulin values could be useful as a tumor marker in patients with soft tissue sarcomas, 31 preoperative sera stored in our serum bank were assayed by radioimmunoassay for beta 2-microglobulin levels. Sera were selected from patients known to have large bulky tumors, but no evidence of other major systemic disorders. Thirty-one sera of sex and age matched controls were assayed for comparison. The laboratory range for normal serum beta 2-microglobulin values was 1.1-2.4 mg/l. Our control patients had values ranging from 0.7-1.7 mg/l. Values in tumor patients ranged from 0.7-2.5 mg/l. No markedly elevated values were observed in any single patient. Four age groups, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 years, revealed no significant differences. This observation differs from previously reported data. Serum beta 2-microglobulin appears to have no value as a tumor marker in patients with soft tissue sarcomas. We were unable to substantiate findings by others that there is a significant increase in values of normal subjects corresponding to advancing age.