Myeloblast Health Dictionary

Greek word ‘white blood’. (Leukosis) Acute myeloid and lymphoblastic. Cancer of the white blood cells of two main types; myeloid, involving the polymorph type and lymphatic involving lymphocytes. Each type may take acute or chronic form, the acute being more serious. The disease is not an infection.

Causes: exposure to chemicals, X-rays or radioactive material. Genetic factors are believed to predispose. The condition may be acute or chronic and may follow chemotherapy.

Remissions are known to have been induced by a preparation from the Periwinkle plant (Vinca rosea) now re-classified as Catharanthus roseus.

“Smokers suffer a significantly increased risk of developing acute myelocytic leukaemia.” (“Cancer”: 1987 vol 60, pp141-144)

Acute Leukaemia. Rapid onset with fatality within weeks or months. Fever. Proliferation of white cells in the bone marrow which are released and blood-borne to the liver, spleen and lymphatics. There may be bleeding from kidneys, mouth, bowel and beneath the skin. (Shepherd’s Purse, Yarrow) The acute form is known also as acute lymphoblastic or acute myeloblastic leukaemia. May be mis-diagnosed as tuberculosis.

Chronic Leukaemia. Gradual onset. Breathlessness from enlargement of the spleen. Swelling of glands under arms, in neck and groin. Loss of weight, appetite, strength, facial colour and body heat. Anaemia, spontaneous bleeding and a variety of skin conditions. Diarrhoea. Low grade fever.

No cure is known, but encouraging results in orthodox medicine promise the disease may be controlled, after the manner of diabetes by insulin. Successful results in such control are reported by Dr Hartwell, National Cancer Institute, Maryland, USA, with an alkaloid related to Autumn Primrose (Colchicum officinale). Vinchristine, a preparation from Periwinkle is now well-established in routine treatment. Red Clover, also, is cytotoxic to many mammalian cells. Vitamin C (present in many herbs and fruits) inhibits growth of non-lymphoblastic leukaemia cells. Good responses have been observed by Dr Ferenczi, Hungary, by the use of raw beet root juice.

Also treated with success by Dr Hartland (above) has been lymphocytic leukaemia in children which he treated with a preparation from Periwinkle.

Choice of agents depends largely upon the clinical experience of the practitioner and ease of administration. Addition of a nerve restorative (Oats, Kola, Black Cohosh or Helonias) may improve sense of well-being. To support the heart and circulatory system with cardiotonics (Hawthorn, Motherwort, Lily of the Valley) suggests sound therapy.

Herbal treatment may favourably influence haemoglobin levels and possibly arrest proliferation of leukaemic cells and reduce size of the spleen. It would be directed towards the (a) lymphatic system (Poke root), (b) spleen (Tamarinds), (c) bone marrow (Yellow Dock), and (d) liver (Blue Flag root).

An older generation of herbalists prescribed Blue Flag root, Yellow Dock, Poke root, Thuja and Echinacea, adding other agents according to indications of the particular case.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts: Red Clover, Gotu Kola, Plantain. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 10-15 minutes. 1 cup thrice daily.

New Jersey tea (ceanothus). 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water. Half-1 cup thrice daily.

Periwinkle tea (Vinca rosea). 2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. 1 cup thrice daily.

Decoction. Formula. Equal parts: Echinacea, Yellow Dock, Blue Flag root. 1 teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 20 minutes. 1 cup before meals thrice daily.

Formula. Red Clover 2; Yellow Dock 1; Dandelion root 1; Thuja quarter; Poke root quarter; Ginger quarter. Dose: Liquid Extract: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 1-2 teaspoons. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily.

Vinchristine. Dosage as prescribed. In combination with other medicines.

Wheatgrass. Juice of fresh Wheatgrass grown as sprouts and passed through a juicer. Rich in minerals. One or more glasses daily.

Beetroot juice. Rich in minerals. Contains traces of rare rabidium and caesium, believed to contribute to anti-malignancy effect. (Studies by Dr A. Ferenczi, Nobel Prize-winner, published 1961)

Diet: Dandelion coffee.

Supplements. B-complex, B12, Folic acid, Vitamin C 2g morning and evening, Calcium ascorbate 2g morning and evening. Copper, Iron, Selenium, Zinc.

Childhood Leukaemia. Research has linked the disease with fluorescent lighting. “Fluorescent tubes emit blue light (400mm wavelength). Light penetrates the skin and produces free radicals. Free radicals damage a child’s DNA. Damaged DNA causes leukaemia to develop. The type and intensity of lighting in maternity wards should be changed. This could be prevented by fitting cheap plastic filters to fluorescent lights in maternity wards.” (Peter Cox, in “Here’s Health”, on the work of Dr Shmuel Ben-Sasson, The Hubert Humphrey Centre of Experimental Medicine and Cancer Research, Jerusalem)

Treatment by hospital specialist. ... leukaemia

An drug used mainly to induce remission of acute myeloblastic LEUKAEMIA. A potent suppressant of myeloblasts, its use requires monitoring by a HAEMATOLOGIST. (See CYTOTOXIC.)... cytarabine

These are a group of white blood cells that have many and well-pigmented granules, and derive from the bone marrow myeloblasts. The granules are sources of digestive, immunologic, and inflammatory proteins. The classic granulocytes are neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, but one should also include mast cells. Also, macrophages, which start out as agranulocytic monocytes but get lots of granules when they grow up.... granulocytes

It has been known for many years that one VIRUS will interfere with the growth of another. In 1957, UK research workers isolated the factor that was responsible for the phenomenon, giving it the name of interferon. There are now known to be three human interferons. They are glycoproteins and are released from cells infected with virus or exposed to stimuli which mimic virus infection. They not only inhibit the growth of viruses; they also inhibit the growth and reduplication of cells, and this is the basis for their investigation as a means of treating cancer. Hitherto the major di?culty has been obtaining su?cient supplies of interferon, but methods have now been evolved which promise to provide adequate amounts of it. The most promising of these is by means of what is known as genetic engineering, or manipulation, whereby a portion of DNA from interferon is inserted into the micro-organism known as Escherichia coli (see ESCHERICHIA) which thus becomes a source of almost unlimited amounts of interferon as it can be grown so easily.

Interferon alfa – previously termed leucocyte interferon or lymphoblastoid interferon – has some antitumour e?ect in some solid tumours and lymphomas. It is also used to treat HEPATITIS B and C (chronic variety). Various side-effects include suppression of MYELOBLAST production. Interferon beta – previously termed ?broblast interferon – is used (under restricted conditions in the UK) to treat patients with relapsing, remitting MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS), and interferon beta-16 is licensed for use in patients with the secondary progressive type of this disorder. The use of interferon, which has a range of side-effects, should be recommended by a neurologist.... interferon

A type of leukaemia in which excessive numbers of immature white blood cells called blasts are produced in the bone marrow. If untreated, acute leukaemia can be fatal within a few weeks or months. The abnormal cells may be of 2 types: lymphoblasts (immature lymphocytes) in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and myeloblasts (immature forms of other types of white cell) in acute myeloblastic leukaemia.

Exposure to certain chemicals (such as benzene and some anticancer drugs) or high levels of radiation may be a cause in some cases. Inherited factors may also play a part; there is increased incidence in people with certain genetic disorders (such as Fanconi’s anaemia) and chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down’s syndrome). People with blood disorders such as chronic myeloid leukaemia (see leukaemia, chronic myeloid) and primary polycythaemia are at increased risk, as their bone marrow is already abnormal.

The symptoms and signs of acute leukaemia include bleeding gums, easy bruising, headache, bone pain, enlarged lymph nodes, and symptoms of anaemia, such as tiredness, pallor, and breathlessness on exertion. There may also be repeated chest or throat infections. The diagnosis is based on a bone marrow biopsy. Treatment includes transfusions of blood and platelets, the use of anticancer drugs, and possibly radiotherapy. A bone marrow transplant may also be required. The outlook depends on the type of leukaemia and the age of the patient. Chemotherapy has increased success rates and 6 in 10 children with the disease can now be cured, although treatment is less likely to be completely successful in adults.... leukaemia, acute

n. the process of production of *granulocytes, which normally occurs in the blood-forming tissue of the *bone marrow. Granulocytes are ultimately derived from a *haemopoietic stem cell, but the earliest precursor that can be identified microscopically is the *myeloblast. This divides and passes through a series of stages of maturation termed respectively *promyelocyte, *myelocyte, and *metamyelocyte, before becoming a mature granulocyte. See also haemopoiesis.... granulopoiesis

n. the earliest identifiable cell that gives rise to a *monocyte. It is probably identical with the *myeloblast and matures via an intermediate stage (promonocyte). It is normally found in the blood-forming tissue of the *bone marrow but may appear in the blood in certain diseases, most notably in acute monoblastic *leukaemia.... monoblast

(premyelocyte) n. the developmental stage of a *granulocyte (a type of white blood cell) between the *myeloblast and the *myelocyte. It has abundant cytoplasm that, with *Romanowsky stains, appears blue with reddish granules. Promyelocytes are normally found in the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow but may appear in the blood in a variety of diseases. See also granulopoiesis.... promyelocyte