title: Lack of pathogenetic role of proteins C and S in thrombosis associated with asparaginase-prednisone-vincristine therapy for leukaemia.
abstract: Plasma levels of protein C and protein S antigens were measured in eight children who developed thrombosis following asparaginase-prednisone-vincristine treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and in nine similarly treated children without this complication. Protein C antigen levels were below normal in three of the eight patients with thrombosis and in three of the nine patients without the complication (P = 0.38). Low protein S antigen levels were found in five of six patients with thrombosis and in two of seven patients without thrombosis (P = 0.10). Plasma factor IX and factor X antigen levels, other vitamin K dependent factors, were also measured in the two groups of patients. In general, reduced levels of protein C, protein S or both antigens (anticoagulant vitamin K dependent proteins) were associated with reduced levels of factor IX, factor X, or both of these factors (procoagulant vitamin K dependent clotting proteins). The ratios of protein C and protein S antigens to each other and to factor IX and factor X antigens did not differ between the two groups. Thus, there is no clear evidence that reduced levels of protein C and (or) protein S cause thrombosis in leukaemia patients treated with this drug combination.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005164:Factor IX / Q000378:metabolism; D005170:Factor X / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011486:Protein C / Q000378:metabolism*; D017293:Protein S; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D011486:Protein C; D017293:Protein S; D014750:Vincristine; D005164:Factor IX; D005170:Factor X; D001215:Asparaginase; D011241:Prednisone