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Effects of long‐term combination chemotherapy on the reticuloendothelial system
Author(s) -
Domellöf L.,
Athlin L.,
Berghem L.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19840515)53:10<2073::aid-cncr2820531012>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - mononuclear phagocyte system , medicine , chemotherapy , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , vincristine , cyclophosphamide , platelet , gastroenterology , doxorubicin , immunology , endocrinology , biology , biochemistry , in vitro
The phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) were studied in 20 postoperative cancer patients undergoing long‐term combination chemotherapy. Each course included vincristine, methyl‐CCNU (day 1) and 5‐fluorouracil (days 1–5) every sixth week. The RES‐test was performed prior to each course, using 125 I‐labeled microaggregated human serum albumin. Total leukocytes, mononuclear cells and platelets were monitored before, during and after each treatment. A significant, initial impairment of the catabolic function of the RES was found (2 P = 0.006). A similar, nonsignificant trend was observed in the phagocytic function. The normalization may mirror the large metabolic capacity of the RES. This is further demonstrated by the fact that splenectomized (N = 9) and nonsplenectomized patients did not differ. A significant decrease was also found in total leukocytes and mononuclear cells (2 P < 0.001). Combination chemotherapy induced a similar myelosuppression in both groups, but did not further reduce the mobile RES in asplenic individuals.