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[Changes in the meningogram during amethopterin treatment of meningosis leucaemica]
Abstract:
The authors examined the changes in the morphology of leucaemic lymphoblasts, obtained from cerebrospinal fluid and changes in the cellular content of meningograms after treatment of Meningosis leucaemica with amethopterin. On the basis of the degree of cytoplasmic and nuclear damage paraleucoblasts were divided into three types: Type I - undamaged paraleucoblasts Type 2 - paraleucoplasts with a slight degree of damage, mainly cytoplasmic Type 3 - parleucoblasts with grave degree of damage, mainly nuclear. In the course of the therapy there was a reduction of the number of nondamaged leucaemic cells, which was accompanied with an increase in the number of damaged leucaemic lymphoblasts, lymphoids, lymphocytes and neutrophils. The damage of paraleucoblasts as well as the difference in the ratio of single cellular elements showed dependence on the number of intrathecal applications of the cytostatic. The described cytologic criteria could be used for prescription, control and checking the effect of intrathecal treatment of Meningosis leucaemica with amethopterin.
Insights
Treatment with amethopterin reduced non-damaged leukaemic cells in cerebrospinal fluid. This study introduces cytologic criteria to monitor Meningosis leucaemica therapy effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Cytopathology
Context:
- Meningosis leucaemica, a leukaemic infiltration of the meninges, requires effective treatment strategies.
- Amethopterin (methotrexate) is a chemotherapeutic agent used in managing leukaemic conditions.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis (meningograms) is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring central nervous system involvement in leukaemia.
Purpose:
- To investigate the morphological changes in leukaemic lymphoblasts and cellular content of meningograms following amethopterin treatment for Meningosis leucaemica.
- To establish cytologic criteria for evaluating the efficacy of intrathecal amethopterin therapy.
Summary:
- Leukaemic lymphoblasts in cerebrospinal fluid were classified into three types based on cytoplasmic and nuclear damage (Type I: undamaged, Type II: slight damage, Type III: severe damage).
- Therapy with amethopterin led to a decrease in undamaged leukaemic cells and an increase in damaged leukaemic lymphoblasts, lymphoids, lymphocytes, and neutrophils.
- The degree of paraleucoblast damage and changes in cellular ratios correlated with the number of intrathecal amethopterin applications.
Impact:
- The study proposes specific cytologic criteria that can be utilized for prescribing, monitoring, and assessing the therapeutic response to intrathecal amethopterin in Meningosis leucaemica.
- This provides a method for objective evaluation of treatment effectiveness in leukaemic meningitis.