ASSESSMENT OF MYELOTOXIC EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY FROM EARLY LEUKOPENIC RESPONSE - APPLICATION OF A MATHEMATICAL-MODEL FOR GRANULOPOIESIS

A recently developed model of the human granulopoietic system had been used to analyze the toxic effects of 5‐fluorouracil administered to cancer patients. From this analysis there appeared to be a relationship between the level of the early leukopenic depression and the rate at which the drug kills cells in the marrow. In particular, it may be possible to estimate this kill rate from the extent of the maximal depression in the white blood count during the second or third week after treatment begins. This estimate may be useful when planning modifications in treatment in order to prevent the onset of hematologic crises. Copyright © 1979 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company