Immune status & enzymes activity in blood lymphocytes in adult patients at different stages of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Pathogenesis acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in adults is not well understood, as it is more common in children. We examined the immunological status and the activity of certain enzymes in blood lymphocytes in adult patients of ALL at different stages. METHODS: ALL patients (n=71) admitted during 2000-2005 were included in this study. All patients had decreased T-lymphocytes content. At first attack, they had CD4 (+)-cells decreasing and increasing IgM and IgG concentration. In complete remission all examined parameters were low. The peculiarities of ALL recurrence were high NK-cells content and disbalances of the main immunoglobulin concentrations. RESULTS: In the first attack and recurrence the anaerobe glucose oxidation intensity and the reactions of macromolecular synthesis were lower in lymphocytes compared to control. In remission all these processes restored to normal. In all stages in lymphocytes GR had decreased activity. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that most of changes in immune status of ALL patients were in a stage of complete remission when patients arrived on its maintenance through the small period from spent before therapy when the immune system of the patient has not been restored. Thus, probably cytostatic action causes immune failure in the future and starts disease again.