The pattern of fetal hemoglobin changes in patients with malignancy on chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
Production of fetal proteins by malignant tissue is a recognized phenomenon seen in many neoplastic disorders. Hence, the aim was to determine if there is a positive correlation between administration of chemotherapy and reduction in fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels.


METHODS
In a prospective study at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, 50 cancer patients at various stages of the disease and 50 controls for 10 months period (March to December, 2005), HbF was determined in pre- chemotherapy (n = 23) and post-chemotherapy (n = 27) cancer patients. Fetal hemoglobin was estimated by the modified Betke's method.


RESULTS
A total of 20 patients (40%) comprising 10 pre-chemotherapy and 10 post-chemotherapy patients presented with increased HbF which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). There was also a significant decrease in post- chemotherapy result when both pre and post-chemotherapy values were compared (p = 0.0073).


CONCLUSIONS
The results presented indicate that during recovery of erythropoiesis some erythroblasts synthesized HbF and there was a reduction following administration of chemotherapy.
Omoti
Caroline E
CE
Department of Hematology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, PMB 1111, Benin City, Nigeria. ediomoti@yahoo.com
Osime
Evarista O
EO
Omuemu
Casmir E
CE
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009549:Nigeria; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin