[Serum beta2-microglobulin and carcino-embryonic antigen in cancerous patients. A preliminary study of 258 cases (author's transl)].

In this preliminary study dealing with beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) levels in the series of 258 patients, two group are considered:--a group of 208 patients with evolutive tumour;--a group of 50 patients with no evolutive tumour. This study shows a significantly higher incidence of cases with elevated levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and/or beta2m in group with evolutive cancer than in group with no evolutive cases. These elevated levels of beta2m are not related to other clinical, topographical, evolutive, immunological parameters. But the increase of serum beta2m levels in patients treated with combination of chemo and immunotherapy, may indicate a possible relationship between beta2m levels and lymphocyte activation.