Increased myeloperoxidase index and large unstained cell values can predict the neutropenia phase of cancer patients treated with standard dose chemotherapy

Objective: The objective of this study was to better understand neutropenia induced by standard dose chemotherapy and to verify if there are any hematological parameters for defining the phase and possibly the duration of neutropenia. Methods: The kinetics of large unstained cells (LUCs) and lymphocytes was evaluated in 324 blood counts of 56 chemotherapy cycles through the use of a Technicon H2 or an ADVIA 120 hematology analyzer. Blood samples collected during the neutropenia phase were also studied by flow cytometry using a large panel of monoclonal antibodies. Parametric and nonparametric statistics were employed to compare the different variables analyzed. A linear regression between each variable before and after nadir and a simple linear correlation among the same variables in the neutropenic and recovery phase were performed. Results: The percentage of LUCs reaches the higher value at nadir and the difference between the mean value of prenadir and nadir is statistically significant (P