Background and Objective: Tumor markers are substances, which change quantitatively in serum during tumor development. One such tumor marker is β2 microglobulin. It (β2 m) is a 11,800 kD protein of 100 amino acids associated with cell membrane of all nucleated cells as the small subunit of the MHC class I molecule. β2 m is present in small amounts in free form in the serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine of normal people and to a much greater degree in patients with malignancies. The purpose of this study was to assess the serum levels of β2 microglobulin in oral squamous cell carcinoma and potential malignant disorder and to evaluate the possible role of β2 microglobulin as a biochemical parameter in the diagnosis of oral cancer.

Method: Serum β2 microglobulin levels were evaluated using ELISA in 50 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, 60 patients with potential malignant disorder (30 Oral Submucous Fibrosis and 30 Leukoplakia), and 50 age–& sexmatched disease–free controls.

Results: It was observed that there was a significant increase in serum β2 microglobulinlevels in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients as compared to potential malignant disorder and controls. Also it was found that significant increase in serum β2 microglobulinlevels in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients as compared to leukoplakia but not significant increase in serum β2 microglobulinlevels in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients as compared to Oral Submucous Fibrosis. Significant increase in serum β2 microglobulinlevels in Oral Submucous Fibrosis patients as compared to Leucoplakia. Although, serum β2 microglobulin levels were increased in oral leukoplakia and Oral Submucous Fibrosis compared to controls, it was found to be statisticallyinsignificant.

Conclusion: From these results, it seems that evaluation of serum β2 microglobulin levels may be useful as one of the battery of tests in assessment of oral carcinoma and leukoplakia.