A 24-year-old man with a history of HIV infection develops pallor and increasing fatigue. Laboratory tests confirm the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Which one of these chemotherapeutic agents is used for this patient without causing further damage to his immune system?
A-Chlorambucil
B-Cisplatin
C-Ifosfamide
D-Procarbazine
E-Vincristine
Answer
All the drugs mentioned in the answer choices are alkylating agents except vincristine which is a mitotic inhibitor. It is not associated with bone marrow depression.
Alkylating agents are associated with bone marrow depression and for this reason they are inappropriate for this patient.
The correct answer is E