PRE-B-CELLS AND B-CELLS IN CHILDREN ON LEUKEMIA REMISSION MAINTENANCE TREATMENT

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  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 37 (2), 259-266
Abstract
The percentages of pre-B [bone marrowed-derived] cells, mature B cells and Ig[immunoglobulin]M plasma cells were reduced in the marrow of children receiving continuous cytotoxic drug treatment to maintain leukemia remission, compared with children receiving intermittent drug treatment in the UKALL V trial or untreated controls. When treatment was ended, the proportion of marrow pre-B cells rose above that of the controls and remained elevated for more than 6 mo. These observations define more precisely the cellular basis of suppression of antibody immunity by cytotoxic drugs. A complex feedback control of pre-B cell numbers and B-cell differentiation during recovery may exist.