Plasma fibronectin in acute myeloid leukaemia

In 13 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), plasma fibronectin (P-FN) was measured before, during and after chemotherapy. Pre-treatment concentrations of P-FN were within the reference range and significantly higher than the nadir value (p less than 0.05). A rise in body temperature by more than 1 degree C induced a significant fall in P-FN (p less than 0.05) and transfusion with freshly drawn blood products could prevent this fall. P-FN concentrations were significantly higher in patients obtaining complete haematological remission than in patients in whom remission could not be induced (p less than 0.001). This difference could not be attributed to transfusion or febrile episodes.