Antioxidant status decreases in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during the first six months of chemotherapy treatment.
BACKGROUND
Children undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receive combination chemotherapy and many of the components are associated with free radical production.


METHODS
Among 103 children newly diagnosed with ALL, plasma concentrations of antioxidants, total antioxidant capacity (ORAC), and DNA oxidized base 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) were analyzed at baseline and 3 and 6 months after diagnosis.


RESULTS
Plasma vitamin A, antioxidants, 8-oxo-dG, and ORAC changed from diagnosis through the first 6 months of ALL therapy. In patients with higher plasma concentrations of vitamin A, E, total carotenoids, ORAC, and 8-oxo-dG there was a beneficial association with fewer dose reductions, fewer infections, improved quality of life, less delay in chemotherapy treatment schedule, reduced toxicity, and fewer days spent in the hospital. There were also adverse relationships demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
Among children with ALL, antioxidant levels and oxidative stress appear to be associated with duration and complications of treatment.
Kennedy
Deborah D
DD
Division of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
Ladas
Elena J
EJ
Rheingold
Susan R
SR
Blumberg
Jeffrey
J
Kelly
Kara M
KM
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D000975:Antioxidants; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine