Activation of granulocytes in patients treated with chemotherapy.
It is well known that patients with granulocytopenia due to chemotherapy are susceptible to life-threatening infections. To determine whether or not granulocyte function is also impaired by chemotherapy, respiratory burst, CD11b and CD18 expression were analysed by flow cytometry in granulocytes from 10 patients with haematological malignancies: before and after the commencement of high-dose chemotherapy and in the recovery phase. As a comparison, the same granulocytic functions were analysed in patients treated with low-dose hydroxyurea and in healthy volunteers. The granulocytes were activated by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. A decreased ability to mobilize CD18 in the recovery phase was seen, but the significance of this finding must be evaluated carefully owing to the small patient number.
Uggla
B
B
Department of Medicine, Orebro Medical Centre Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. bertil.uggla@orebroll.se
Tidefelt
U
U
Vikerfors
T
T
Fredlund
H
H
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D039481:CD11b Antigen; D018821:CD18 Antigens; C036117:staphylotoxin; D006918:Hydroxyurea