[Diagnostic significance of reticulocyte analysis by flow cytometry, in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) on chemotherapy].
BACKGROUND
Reticulocytes and their fractions quickly show changes at the time of chemotherapy, therefore they can be an early indicator of changes arising in the erythrocytic line.


OBJECTIVE
of the study was an assessment of percentage, absolute number and immature reticulocyte fraction (IFR) by flow cytometry in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and comparing them with classical indexes of the erythrocyte line.


METHODS
The examined group of 14 children from 2 to 16 years with ALL, on remission support treatment (New York II protocol).


RESULTS
The group which was treated by thioguanine and cyclophosphamide showed reduction of reticulocytes from mean value 3,1+/-1:1,4 to 2,5+/-1,8. IFR reduction was not significant statistically. In the group treated with vincristine and methotrexate an average percentage of reticulocytes fell from 3.5+/-O.8 to l,5+/-0,4 and IFR did not change significantly. In children who were treated by daunorubicin and cytosine arabinoside an average percentage of reticulocytes reduced from 3.2+/-O,8 to value 2,1+/-1, 7. The immature reticulocyte fraction (IFR) reduced significantly from 22,0+/-6,0 to 12,0+/-8,0 (p<0,03).


CONCLUSIONS
The indicators of reticulocytes were reduced after each cycle chemotherapy: this indicates damage in the erythrocyte line. The indicators examined by cytometric method can show changes earlier than classical indicators used in haematology.
Ratomski
Karol
K
Zakład Laboratoryjnej Diagnostyki Pediatrycznej, Akademia Medyczna, Waszyngtona 17, 15-269 Białystok, Poland. zldpam@poczta.fm
Wysocka
Jolanta
J
Leszczyńska
Elzbieta
E
Krawczyk-Rybak
Maryna
M
Zak
Janusz
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D017701:Reticulocyte Count; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001215:Asparaginase; D013866:Thioguanine; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate; D003630:Daunorubicin