Beta2-microglobulin is often elevated in which condition?

Beta2-microglobulin is a protein that is part of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I molecules and is commonly associated with immune responses. Its levels in the serum can be elevated in certain conditions, particularly those characterized by increased cell turnover or malignancies.

Multiple myeloma, a hematologic malignancy arising from plasma cells, is known to be associated with elevated levels of beta2-microglobulin. This elevation occurs because malignant plasma cells produce large amounts of this protein. In clinical practice, measuring beta2-microglobulin levels serves as a prognostic marker for multiple myeloma, where higher levels indicate a more aggressive disease and correlate with poorer outcomes.

In contrast, while pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer may result in various biomarkers being elevated, these cancers do not have the same strong association with beta2-microglobulin as seen in multiple myeloma. As such, it is the context of multiple myeloma that distinctly highlights the significance of elevated beta2-microglobulin levels. Therefore, it is in this condition that one sees a clear and clinically relevant elevation of beta2-microglobulin.