The effect of cyclophosphamide on leukocyte kinetics and susceptibility to infection in patients with wegener's granulomatosis

In eight patients with Wegener's granulomatosis effective cyclophosphamide therapy significantly reduced blood neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts; lymphocyte counts were most severely reduced. The turnover rate for DF 32 P‐labeled neutrophils were decreased from elevated to normal levels with treatment. Cutaneous inflammatory responses were normal before and during therapy. In five patients, cyclophosphamide eventually had to be discontinued because of progressive severe leukopenia. Infectious complications of therapy have not been observed.