title: [Diagnostic significance of reticulocyte analysis by flow cytometry, in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) on chemotherapy].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Laboratoryjnej Diagnostyki Pediatrycznej, Akademia Medyczna, Waszyngtona 17, 15-269 Białystok, Poland. zldpam@poczta.fm
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ratomski
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wysocka
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leszczyńska
authors.forename: Maryna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krawczyk-Rybak
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zak
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001215:Asparaginase; D013866:Thioguanine; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate; D003630:Daunorubicin