Question

You are given a new drug to test for which there is some suspicion of hematotoxicity. Describe the testing program you would use to determine whether the chemical is, in fact, hematotoxic. Provide a rationale for the overall testing scheme and the specific recommended tests

Answer 1

The tests to be done are TC, DC, ESR, Haemoglobin content, bilirubin, and Liver function tests, and Ultrasonography of whole abdomen.

Explanation:

Haematotoxicity is defined as the property by which damage is made to blood by means of any chemical or physical means. Haematotoxic drugs actually do damage the red blood cells membrane which leads to breaking of red blood cells inside the blood vessels and leading to leakage of haemoglobin inside blood vessels. This increases the bilirubin levels in blood, causes hepatosplenomegaly, decreases red blood cell count and decreases haemoglobin content too.

So in TC and DC findings are reduced, and ESR is decreased too. In Ultrasonography, we can see the enlarged liver and spleen. The haemoglobin content is decreased and bilirubin levels is increased. In liver function tests, we will see deviated value of SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase which remarks the presence of Haematotoxic substances in blood. In extreme cases, bone marrow biopsy is done to eliminate chances of leukemia.