Soluble transferrin receptor and depth of bone marrow suppression following high dose chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) reflects erythropoietic activity in the bone marrow. We have sought to identify whether serial measurement of sTfR may predict depth or duration of myelosuppression in patients receiving high dose chemotherapy. Materials and methods: We prospectively measured serial sTfR in nine consecutive patients with haematologic malignancy admitted for various high dose regimens. The sTfR nadir was associated with white cell nadir, and sTfR nadir and day 5 sTfR were inversely associated with the number of red cell transfusions required. Conclusion: Our data suggest that sTfR may be helpful in predicting the degree of bone marrow suppression in patients rec..