B2M and cancer: Findings here, however, indicate that, at least within this 288 large patient cohort that we examined, while β2M is increased in serum of prostatectomy patients, it does not have a significant correlative relationship with MMP-7 or perlecan either in tissue or serum, a result consistent with the presence of β2M in the inflammatory processes, and its participation in multiple functions related to cancer and normal physiologic response to inflammation.