Blood, 1960, Vol. 16, No. 5, pp. 1535-1545.
© 1960 American Society of Hematology, Inc.
Megaloblastic Anemia Associated with Inhibition of
Thyrmine Synthesis
(Observations During 5-fluorouracil Treatment)
M. J. BRENNAN ,
V. K. VAITKEVICIUS , and
J. W. REBUCK
Megaloblastic changes in the erythrocytic series and cellular giantism in
the myeloid line characterize the bone marrow response to 5-fluorouracil
in man.
Cytoplasmic vacuolizations occur in reticulo-endothelial cells, megakaryocytes, and myeloid elements.
During development of these morpholigic changes in marrow, associated
cellular giantism, polynucleism, and nuclear pattern changes appear in the
oral, vaginal, colonic mucosa, and in some tumors resembling those encountered in the bone marrow.
The myeloid-erythroid ratio was found to be useful for the purpose of identifying dosage end-points.
The physiological implications Of these changes as related to nucleic acid
metabolism were discussed.
Submitted on January 7, 1960
Accepted on January 13, 1960
