Prognostic significance of changes in serum transcobalamin levels in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia.
Serum transcobalamin (TC) levels were determined daily in 14 adults suffering from advanced nonhematological malignancies and hospitalized because of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia and fever. Even during the nadir leukocyte count, TCI and TCIII serum levels were normal or only slightly decreased indicating that bone marrow activity was not completely suppressed. A significant increase in serum TCII level was observed in all patients, with peak values occurring an average of 4.5 days from admission at a time when the median leukocyte count was 2,300/mm 3. Full white cell count recovery followed this peak TCII elevation within a mean of 5.5 days in all patients, coinciding with a fall in TCII levels to basal values. The rise in serum TCII level appears to be an early indicator for imminent bone marrow recovery in myelosuppressed patients.
D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014155:Transcobalamins / Q000032:analysis*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001798:Blood Proteins; D014155:Transcobalamins