Normal glucocorticoid receptor numbers in a child with glucocorticoid-resistant relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Glucocorticoid receptors were quantified in circulating lymphoblasts from a child with relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia refractory to multiple glucocorticoid containing drug regimens. The number of receptor sites in this patient's lymphoblasts was found to be similar to the number of receptor sites in lymphoblasts from a group of newly diagnosed children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. This patient differs from previous reported cases of relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia in that all previous relapsed patients with normal receptor numbers obtained complete remissions when glucocorticoid containing treatment regimens were employed.