title: The occurrence of antibodies against single-stranded DNA in the sera of patients with acute and chronic leukaemia.
abstract: One hundred and seventy-five sera from thirty-three patients with acute myeloid leukaemia, forty-two patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and twelve patients with acute lymphatic leukaemia were examined by a radioimmunological technique for the presence of antibodies against single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. The levels of single-stranded DNA binding activity was significantly higher in all three types of leukaemia compared to those of healthy controls. In contrast, none of these sera exhibited a positive reaction with double-stranded DNA. In some cases the level of serum anti-DNA antibodies increased after the decrease of the leucocyte count. The presence of anti-DNA antibodies in leukaemic patients may have some biological significance.
mesh_terms: D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology*; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D006918:Hydroxyurea