[Diagnostic significance of reticulocyte analysis by flow cytometry, in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) on chemotherapy]. / Znaczenie diagnostyczne oznaczania retikulocytów metoda cytometrii przeplywowej u dzieci chorych na ostra bialaczke limfoblastyczna (ALL) poddanych chemoterapii.

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.

[Effect of anticancer treatment on leptin level, fat body mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM)]. / Wplyw leczenia przeciwnowotworowego na wartosci leptyny w surowicy, wskaznik masy ciala oraz zawartosc masy tluszczowej i beztluszczowej.

UNLABELLED: Leptin plays an important role in the metabolism of adipose tissue. Considering that malignancy and its treatment cans affect normal development in childhood. We analysed the correlations between serum leptin levels and body composition after anticancer treatment. We studied 33 survivors (24 boys and 9 girls) who before our study, have been treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) (n=23) and Hodgkin disease (n=10) after 7.15+/-3.5 years. Sixteen patients with ALL received cranial irradiation (12Gy). We measured body mass index (BM1) fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We compared these results to the results obtained from reference values (SD score). Leptin levels were measured with the RIA method. RESULTS: 1. Mean leptin levels were higher in girls after puberty (10.93 ng/mL+/-8.9) than in boys (3.73 ng/mL+/-3. 7). In boys no differences were found in leptin levels between T2-4 and T5 stages. In girls the leptin values increased after puberty. Leptin SD score levels were higher in boys during (1.55 +/-1.0) and after puberty (1.46+/-0.75) and in girls - after puberty (1.19 +/-1.51). We did not find any influence of cranial irradiation (12Gy) or various methotrexate doses (5 g/m(2) vs. 19/m(2)) leptin values. 2. No difference in BMI SD score was found within the whole study group. 3. FM did not change ill boys during and after puberty, although FM SD score were higher during puberty (2.98 +/-4.8). In girls FM and FM SD score were higher after puberty. In boys and girls LBM augmented with pubertal development but LBM SD score in boys were lower after puberty (-1.67 +/-1.7) in comparison to puberty (0.2 +/-1.7). No differences were found between LBM SD score in girls during and after puberty. 4. We found a correlation between leptin levels and BMI (r=0.59 p=0.001) and FM (r=0.77 p=0.0001). 5. Relation of FM to LBM in boys remained unchanged, however in girls it increased within pubertal development. CONCLUSION: l. Anticancer treatment during childhood shows no influence on body mass index although the tendency to higher fat mass in pubertal boys and in post pubertal girls is observed. 2. Leptin values depend on fat mass and do not relate directly to the pubertal stage.