Cytochemical evaluation of cytostatic drugs action in chronic granulocytic and lymphatic leukemia.

The influence of busulphan and chlorambucil on the activity of the alkaline and acid phosphatase, alpha-naphtol-acetate esterase, the content of glycogen and lipids in leukocytes of peripheral blood in patients with chronic granulocytic and lymphatic leukemia was investigated. Under the influence of both antileukemic drugs some cytochemical reactions typically changed in leukemia were progressively normalized before remission being sometimes more distinctive than leukocytosis or even than white blood picture. In patients who did not show any improvement the disturbance of cytochemical reactions in leukocytes intensified or, sometimes, remain unchanged. The characteristic feature of the changes of cytochemical reactions during chemotherapy may be used for a better control of the treatment, for estimation of the efficiency of a therapy and can give some prognostic suggestions.