Estimating a normal reference range for serum B-cell maturation antigen levels for multiple myeloma patients.

The serum B-cell maturation antigen (sBCMA) has been identified as a novel serum biomarker for patients with multiple myelomas. However, no study has yet established a reference range for sBCMA levels. Its levels were determined in 196 healthy subjects and showed a right-tailed distribution with a median value of 37.51 ng/ml with a standard deviation of 22.54 ng/ml (range 18.78-180.39 ng/ml). Partitioning of subgroup reference ranges was considered but determined to be irrelevant. A non-parametric method using the median +/- 2 standard deviations suggests using a universal reference interval of <82.59 ng/ml.