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Recovery of blood B‐lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulins after chemotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Author(s) -
Alanko Soile,
Pelliniemi TarjaTerttu,
Salmi Toivo T.
Publication year - 1992
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(19920315)69:6<1481::aid-cncr2820690628>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - medicine , chemotherapy , antibody , immunology , lymphocyte , immune system , humoral immunity , leukemia , cd20 , acute lymphocytic leukemia , lymphoblastic leukemia , gastroenterology
Recovery of humoral immunity after cessation of chemotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was investigated by determining blood leukocyte, lymphocyte and B‐lymphocyte, and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels and IgG subclasses at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after cessation of chemotherapy for ALL in 14 patients. Blood B‐lymphocytes were analyzed with the use of flow cytometry and monoclonal CD20 antibody. At cessation of chemotherapy, the amount of blood B‐lymphocytes was subnormal in most patients but increased to normal levels in 1 month after therapy was discontinued. The recovery of serum Ig, which reflect B‐cell function, was slower, but occurred by 6 months after therapy was discontinued in most patients. The authors conclude that by 6 months after cessation of chemotherapy for ALL, a sufficiently functioning immune system by these parameters is established and that prophylactic antibiotics can be withdrawn and immunizations started. Cancer 1992; 69:1481‐1486.