CSF FffiRONECTIN VERSUS THYMIDINE KINASE CONCENTRATIONS AS PREDICTORS OF CNS INVOLVEMENT IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE l,Y:MPHOllLASTIC LEUKEMIA

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement remains a problem in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), despite the fact that prophylaxis with intrathecal (IT), systemic high dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy have greatly reduced the incidence of this complication.

Some risk factors have been identified at diagnosis such as extreme leukocytosis, mature B and T immunophenotypes, high leukemic cells proliferation indices and high serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Furthermore , the frequency of CNS leukemia in childhood ALL is believed to be higher than in adults.