Expression of β2 microglobulin on malignant multiple myeloma plasma cells

Abstract

Background. β2‑microglobulin is a low molecular weight glycoprotein that is part of the major histocompatibility complex. The concentration of β2‑microglobulin in the blood serum of patients increases with various oncohematological pathologies, including multiple myeloma. One of the methods for detecting membrane β2‑microglobulin is flow cytometry. This article discusses the expression of β2‑microglobulin and key markers on the membrane of malignant cells in patients with multiple myeloma at the onset of the disease.Aim. To study the expression of β2‑microglobulin and markers CD45, CD56 and CD19 on the membrane of tumor plasma cells in the primary diagnosis of multiple myeloma.Materials and methods. The study of β2‑microglobulin and CD45, CD56 and CD19 was carried out in 37 patients with multiple myeloma by 8‑color flow cytometry using a panel of monoclonal antibodies for the diagnosis of plasma cell tumors (EuroFlow, 2012).Results. The expression of β2‑microglobulin in combination with markers CD45, CD56 and CD19 on tumor plasma cells was assessed, illustrations of the expression of these markers are presented. Out of 37 patients with multiple myeloma, hyperexpression of β2‑microglobulin was noted in 23 (62.2 %), in other cases there were normal or reduced levels of this protein in other cases.Conclusion. Tumor plasma cells overexpress β2‑microglobulin in a significant percentage of cases (62.2 %). This allows further assessment of the clinical significance of such aberrant expression and its relationship with serum levels of β2‑microglobulin.