Activation of granulocytes in patients treated with chemotherapy

• Published in: Clinical and laboratory haematology 2002-02, Vol.24 (1), p.29-31
• Main Authors: UGGLA, B., TIDEFELT, U., VIKERFORS, T., FREDLUND, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Bacterial Toxins; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; CD11b Antigen - drug effects; CD11b Antigen - metabolism; CD11b/CD18; CD18 Antigens - drug effects; CD18 Antigens - metabolism; chemotherapy; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; flow cytometry; Granulocytes; Granulocytes - drug effects; Granulocytes - immunology; Granulocytes - metabolism; Hematologic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Hematologic Neoplasms - pathology; Humans; Hydroxyurea - administration & dosage; Hydroxyurea - pharmacology; Medical sciences; MEDICIN; MEDICINE; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; respiratory burst; Respiratory Burst - drug effects; Toxicity: nervous system and muscle
• ISSN: 0141-9854; 1365-2257; 1365-2257
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2257.2002.00185.x

It is well known that patients with granulocytopenia due to chemotherapy are susceptible to life‐threatening infections. To determine whether or not granulocyte function is also impaired by chemotherapy, respiratory burst, CD11b and CD18 expression were analysed by flow cytometry in granulocytes from 10 patients with haematological malignancies: before and after the commencement of high‐dose chemotherapy and in the recovery phase. As a comparison, the same granulocytic functions were analysed in patients treated with low‐dose hydroxyurea and in healthy volunteers. The granulocytes were activated by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. A decreased ability to mobilize CD18 in the recovery phase was seen, but the significance of this finding must be evaluated carefully owing to the small patient number.