Calretinin concentration significantly differed among subject groups (P < 0.001): MM patients (N = 163) had median calretinin concentration 0.52 (0.23–1.43) ng/ml, subjects with asbestosis (N = 117) 0.13 (0.08–0.20) ng/ml, subjects with pleural plaques (N = 195) 0.18 (0.12–0.25) ng/ml and subjects without disease (N = 70) 0.12 (0.07–0.19) ng/ml. The gene discussed is CALB2; the disease is asbestosis.