Therapeutic cytoreduction in a 7-month-old baby with acute leukemia.
A 7-month-old girl with acute biphenotypic leukemia [t(4;11)] had accompanying anemia, thrombocytopenia, and a white blood cell count of 535,000/microL with 98% blasts. Before instituting chemotherapy, therapeutic leukapheresis was done to reduce the threat of complications from leukostasis. Using a Cobe Spectra blood cell separator primed with modified blood, we processed 1,395 mL of her blood, removing 201 mL of the buffy coat containing 5.8 x 10(10) white blood cells. This reduced the WBC count to 301,000/microL. Only a single procedure was done, without significant complications. The rationale of this preparatory cytoreduction is discussed critically. Subsequent chemotherapy resulted in a long-lasting remission.
Huestis
D W
DW
Department of Pathology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson 85724.
Hutter
J J
JJ
James
P
P
D000208:Acute Disease; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007937:Leukapheresis; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods