Immunological evaluation of 22 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia off-therapy. A longitudinal follow-up.
In 22 patients with ALL in first complete remission, who discontinued therapy after 3 years, longitudinal follow-up of immunological reconstitution was investigated by assessing serum immunoglobulin levels, number and mitogen responsiveness of B and T lymphocytes. Major modifications have been demonstrated for T cells both in terms of number and functionality, while B cells and serum immunoglobulins did not change significantly. Examining the behaviour of the patients one by one, it has been observed that recovery is often characterized by a remarkable rebound occurring from the 15th to the 18th month. Immunosuppression induced by antileukemic treatment appeared to be a transitory phenomenon, mainly limited to the first three months. Reconstitution was achieved, in almost all cases, within one year after treatment was stopped.
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008934:Mitogens; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008934:Mitogens