Evaluation of Serum β2-Microglobulin in Oral Potentially Malignant Lesions and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Several biomarkers are known to have a crucial role in the progression of oral malignancy. One such marker is β2-Microglobulin (β2-M). This study was done to identify its significant role in the early detection of oral Malignancy.
Aim: This study aims to compare the level of serum beta-2 microglobulin (β2-M) in healthy individuals and patient with oral potentially malignant lesions disorder (PMLD) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Methodology: Total samples studied were 384. 4 groups were studied with 96 samples in each group. Group A consisted of healthy control individuals who did not have any clinical conditions or diseases. Group B involved subjects who had a history of tobacco/areca nut chewing and smoking habit. Group C consisted of potentially malignant lesion patients (PML) such as erythroplakia, leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and lichen planus and Group D included freshly diagnosed Oral Squamous cell carcinoma patients (OSCC).
Results:  There was a significant increase in serum β2-M levels in OSCC patients and PMLD patients as compared to healthy controls.
Conclusion: The evaluation of these markers would be useful in assessing early detection and diagnosis, malignant change and also in assessing the spread and invasiveness of the malignancy.