Barlogie et al (2001a), (2001b) found elevated CRP (>7 mg l−1), β2M levels (>3 mg l−1), high PCLI (>0.5%) and abnormal cytogenetics (deletion 13) to be a unfavourable prognostic factors for initial response to THAL and for EFS and OS in 169 MM patients treated with THAL. This evidence concerns the gene B2M and Miyoshi myopathy.