Evaluation of the Granulopoiesis during Antiblastic Treatment

Summary Selected subjects have been treated with cyclophosphamide and nitrogen mustard. The granulocytopenia has been followed by repeatedin vivolabeling with DFP32and the endotoxin test for evaluating the availability of the granulocyte reserve. The effect of steroid treatment on the recovery of the granulopoiesis has been studied with autotransfusions ofin vitroDFP32labeled granulocytes in the same subject and performed before, during and after the treatment was discontinued. The following conclusions have been reached: 1. The efficiency of the granulopoiesis is based upon the availability of the bone marrow granulocyte reserve. 2. The bone marrow granulocyte mobilization with endotoxin and thein vivogranulocyte labeling with DFP32give an evaluable information about the bone marrow granulocyte reserve. 3. The granulocytopenia due to antiblastic therapy corresponds to a depletion of the bone marrow granulocyte reserve. 4. The recovery of a “normal granulocyte count” preceeds the rebuilt of a “normal availability” of the bone marrow granulocyte reserve. 5. The recovery of the blood granulocyte count after prednison is not associated with any favourable change of the granulopoiesis.