The influence of cytotoxic drugs on the immunophenotype of blast cells in paediatric B precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Abstract

Flow cytometry plays is important in the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and when antigen-specific immunotherapy is indicated. We have investigated the effects of prednisolone, vincristine, daunorubicin, asparaginase and methotrexate on the antigen expression on blast cells that could influence the planning of antigen-specific therapy as well as risk-based treatment assignment.

Keywords

• immunophenotypic changes
• chemotherapy
• immunotherapy
• paediatric b-all