Peripheral blood neutrophils in children in remission of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Cytochemical investigations
Pituch, A.
Acta Medica Polona 18(1): 69-83
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-608X PMID: 193363 Document Number: 117713
In 26 children aged 3-15 yr with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission and receiving maintenance treatment with 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide or combinations of these drugs with prednisone, serial cytochemical investigations were done during 1 yr of follow-up for establishing cytochemical composition of neutrophil granulocytes. The results were compared with those obtained in 20 healthy children. Decreased activity of myeloperoxidase and increased activity of alkaline phosphatase were found in all children. The activity of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide system determined by the NBT test was significantly raised in patients in relation to healthy children. The activity of acid phosphatase, and glycogen and lipid levels were not significantly different in both groups. A significant increase of alkaline phosphatase activity was noticed in the group of children with granulocyte counts from 1000-2000 mm3. Low granulocyte counts were accompanied by low acid phosphatase activity, while high granulocyte counts were associated with high activity of this enzyme. In children receiving no treatment for 1-2 wk because of neutropenia induced, no significant differences were found in the parameters determined, as compared with healthy children and children receiving treatment. No significant changes were demonstrated in serial determinations of these parameters in children with remissions lasting from 3-48 mo.