Neutrophil Function in Chronic Granulocytic Leukaemia before and after Busulphan Treatment

Abstract

S ummary . Neutrophil mobilization, phagocytic index (PI) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction were reduced in 12 untreated patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia whilst the serum lysozyme (SL) was increased. After nine patients had been treated with a standard dose of busulphan neutrophil mobilization was normal in six patients and NBT dye reduction normal in all nine patients but although the PI rose towards normal a slight defect which was possibly due to Busulphan therapy remained. The SL fell towards normal in nine patients after treatment but remained significantly different from a control group.