THE EFFECT OF AMINOPTERIN AND PARTIAL EXSANGUINATION TRANSFUSION ON A CASE OF ACUTE STEM CELL LEUKEMIA; A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON THESE TWO PROCEDURES

Abstract

The effect of 4-aminopteryl-glutamic acid (aminopterin) and partial exsanguination transfusion was detd. on a young adult with acute stem cell leukemia. The aminopterin reduced the white blood count and the number of stem cells in both the blood and marrow. The effect was temporary and lasted only as long as the drug was admd. daily. Toxic effects consisted of oral ulceration. The exsanguination transfusion caused considerable improvement in the patient''s clinical condition and had some effect on the bone marrow with the return of a more normal marrow differential count. The clinical and hematological improvement from both the drug and the transfusion was only temporary.