[Cytostatic therapy reduces the immune defense. Children treated for leukemia have impaired immunity against measles and rubella].
A study is summarized analyzing the levels of serum antibodies against vaccination antigens in 43 children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Two different therapeutical regimens were used. All children had been immunized against measles and rubella before being diagnosed with leukemia. Eight of the 24 children treated 1986-1991 lacked protective levels of antibodies against measles; four of the 24 children lacked antibodies against rubella. In the second cohort of children (n = 16) treated from 1992 and onwards, nine lacked protective levels of antibodies against measles, eight lacked antibodies against rubella.
Nilsson
A
A
Astrid Lindgrens barnsjukhus, Stockholm.
Nordin
M
M
De Milito
A
A
Grillner
L
L
Chiodi
F
F
Björk
O
O
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012409:Rubella / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D012411:Rubella Vaccine