Summary
Chromosomes from leukocyte cultures and direct bone marrow preparations from patients under Azathioprine treatment were examined and compared with those from uremic patients and normal controls not taking Azathioprine. The results indicate a toxic effect of the drug, as well as an effect of uremia on the chromosome complement. The significance of these findings is discussed, especially in relation to several reports concerning malignant processes arising during or after Azathioprine intake. According to our findings, a relation between immunosuppression and malignancy seems more likely than a direct cancerogenicity of Azathioprine.
Zusammenfassung
Chromosomen aus peripherem Blut und direkten Knochenmarkspräparaten von Patienten unter Azathioprin-Therapie wurden verglichen mit solchen von gesunden Kontrollpersonen und urämischen Patienten ohne Azathioprin-Einnahme. Die Ergebnisse sprechen für eine toxische Chromosomenschädigung sowohl durch Azathioprin als auch die urämische Stoffwechsellage. Die Bedeutung dieser Befunde, insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit mehrfach berichteten malignen Prozessen nach Azathioprin-Einnahme, wird diskutiert. Unsere Ergebnisse lassen eher einen Zusammenhang zwischen Immunosuppression und malignem Geschehen vermuten als eine direkte cancerogen Wirkung von Azathioprin.
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Ganner, E., Osment, J., Dittrich, P. et al. Chromosomes in patients treated with Azathioprine. Hum Genet 18, 231–236 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290602
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290602