Leukocyte count and granulocyte function of children under lithium carbonate therapy treated with cytostatic drugs. a pilot study
Burdach, S.E.; Rister, M.; Evers, K.G.; Froehlich, W.
Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinderheilkunde 132(1): 38-42
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-9298 PMID: 6700601 Document Number: 234650
The usefullness of lithium carbonate for attenuation of leukopenia due to chemotherapy was studied in a prospective randomized trial. Chemotherapy for solid tumors was applied in a paired manner 24 times without and 24 times with lithiumcarbonate. Simultaneously, nucleotid-dependent functions of granulocytes were examined. An attenuation of leukopenia by lithium was observed. Toxic side effects within the therapeutic range of the serum level (0.3-1.4 mol/l) were not detected. Lithium did not impair adherence, chemotaxis and degranulation of neutrophile granulocytes. The influences of lithium on stem-cell maturation and granulocyte function are discussed.