OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of treatment with immunocyte therapy on benzene-induced haemopoietic dysfunction.

METHODSMono-nuclear cells (MNC) were separated from 40 - 50 ml peripheral blood in patients and mixed with interleukin-2 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for six day cultivation. The new formed immunocytes were collected and transfused into the patients. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were taken before and after therapy for all patients with severe benzene poisoning. Blood samples were stained by flow cytometry for detecting CD(4) and CD(8) positive cells.

RESULTSOf 20 patients with chronic benzene poisoning, 9 were severe benzene poisoning. All examination including blood count, bone marrow biopsy and T cell subpopulation restored to normal after immunocyte therapy. Laboratory tests (liver and kidney function, and myocardial enzymes) were observed periodically and showed normal during therapy. Follow-up study (the longest time was more than 15 months) showed that bone marrow haemopietic function of all treated patients were in normal range.

CONCLUSIONBone marrow haemopoietic dysfunction caused by benzene poisoning may be closely related to disorder of immune function. Immunocyte therapy may significantly improve bone marrow haemopoietic dysfunction induced by benzene poisoning.