My newest Hem/Onc just ran a B2M test on me. It was 3.4. The last time this was done was at DX 15 years ago. It was 1.1. Does anyone know that current thinking on the value and significance of this test? I've had 2 other Hem/Oncs in between, neither have bothered to run this test.
john
B2M has been adopted recently as part of the International Prognostic INDEX for CLL (CLL-IPI)... the cut-off is > 3.5 mg/L
It uses a weighted score to design a prognostic profile for each patient. It is also now being used with very elevated levels as a Richter's marker.
However, it can be easily misdiagnosed since kidneys, HepC can cause elevated levels...as I recall.
The CLL-IPI has been confirmed and will go into wide clinical use in the next year...
B2M
~chris
Thanks for the info, Chris. I am awaiting the results of this test when I see the hematologist next week. Since the blood is sent to the cancer agency for testing here, (Vancouver Island) cannot get results on-line.
Sandy Beaches
Not sure they run B2M in BC, I had to plead to have it done in Ontario...
It is not a standard marker yet...
~chris
Trisomy 12
Test Before Treat
Beta glucans
Pneumonia from Idelalisib 
Beta 2 Microglobin - an exquisitely sensitive marker for disease activity in many hematologic disorders.
