Red Blood Cell Enzyme Abnormalities in Patients Treated with Chemotherapy

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Abstract
Red blood cell enzyme activities (16) and fetal hemoglobin levels were assayed in 60 patients treated for hematologic or nonhematologic malignant diseases with various combinations of cytostatic drugs [mustargen, cyclophosphamide, on covin procarbazide, prednisone and adriamycin]. Acquired enzyme deficiency was found in 20 patients. The most frequently decreased activities were those of G-6-P dehydrogenase (12 cases), pyruvate kinase (6 cases) and adenylate kinase (3 cases). In many patients decreased activity of some enzymes contrasted with increased activity of others such as aldolase, triose phosphate isomerase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, enolase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. The number of abnormalities seems to be related to the duration of the treatment. Incidence of enzyme deficiencies was similar in patients previously treated or not with radiotherapy. Enzyme abnormalities were not correlated with hemoglobin level nor with reticulocyte count. They were very similar to those observed in primary acquired dyserythropoietic and preleukemic states; their prognostic value and mechanism are discussed.