Oxidative metabolism of circulating neutrophils in infantile (Philadelphia chromosome-negative) chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Mature polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMNL) from a 2.5-year-old female with infantile chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized zymosan. The resulting enzymatic NADPH oxidation and the cellular O2- release and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence were measured. The patient's PMNL responded normally in all respects. Thus, mature infantile CML PMNL undergo a normal respiratory burst following either soluble or particulate stimulation. Our review of the literature emphasizes the importance of studying a well-defined population of PMNL in patients with myelodysplasia.