Serum beta-2 microglobulin analysis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: This study aims to compare the level of serum beta-2 microglobulin (β2-M) in normal healthy individuals and patient with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODOLOGY: This study has been conducted in patients attending the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yenepoya Dental College, Deralakatte, Mangalore. Sample comprises of 25 cases of clinically and histologically diagnosed oral cancer and 25 normal healthy individuals as control group. The serum was analyzed for β2-M by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: It was observed that there was a significant increase in serum β2-M levels in oral SCC patients as compared to controls. Circulating levels in serum β2-M were also elevated significantly among different clinical stages with progressive rise from stage I to stage IV of the disease. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of these markers would be useful in assessing malignant change, increasing accuracy of clinical diagnosis and also in assessing the spread and invasiveness of the cancer of the oral cavity.