Can Serum Beta 2 Microglobulin be a Potential Biomarker for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Potentially Malignant Lesions - A Diagnostic Perspective

Abstract

Early detection can help to reduce mutilating defects and the rising fatality rate in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Tumor biomarkers are being studied extensively to aid in diagnosis, screening, prognosis, and treatment response monitoring. This study focuses on the role of beta 2 microglobulin (β2 M), a tumour biomarker found in OSCC and premalignant lesions such as leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). Serum was collected from 20 patients with OSCC (Group I), 10 patients with leukoplakia and 10 patients with OSMF leukoplakia (Group II), and 20 healthy controls (Group III). The IMMULITE 1000 kit was used to determine the β2 M levels. The β 2 M levels increased with the degree of differentiation of OSCC (p<0.001) and with the stages (<p0.05) and grades of dysplasia (p<0.001) in premalignant lesions. The average serum β2 M levels, however, did not differ significantly between the three study groups (p >0.05). Serum β2 M levels were higher in advanced OSCC than in premalignant lesions and controls. A comparison of the distribution of age, gender, and habits, as well as the sites involved, was also made. β2M can be used as a prognostic marker to track the treatment of patients who progress to advanced stages of OSCC.