Value of 32-Microglobulin Level and Plasma Cell Labeling Indices as Prognostic Factors in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Myeloma

The patients examined in this study were the same cohort as in an earlier study of morphologic features2’ but with additional follow-up. Between March 1978 and February 1982, 100 patients were studied just prior to initial chemotherapy for MM; all were followed for at beast 3.5 years. Sufficient information was available on all patients to allow clinical staging, and bone marrow plasma cell LI were determined in all.22 The available laboratory data in all cases included results of bone marrow examination, metastatic bone survey, serum protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis or immunofixation, and determination of serum calcium, creatinine, and hemoglobin levels. Urine protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis or immunofixation were performed in 96 patients. Patients with monocbonal gammopathy of undetermined signifi-