[Diagnostic significance of reticulocyte analysis by flow cytometry, in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) on chemotherapy].

INTRODUCTION

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.

THE AIM: 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.

MATERIAL AND

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.