Some of the trace elements, electrolytes, serum Ca, P and uric acid levels were measured in 19 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia before commencement of therapy, after 12 and again after 24 hours and thereafter every day up to the 16th day of the therapy.

The elevation of the mean serum Cu in patients compared to normal control levels was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001, 254 ± 53 and 148 ± 30 mg/dl; respectively). The serum Cu level began noticeably to fall to the normal level 24 hours after the commencement of therapy. Before therapy hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia were observed in 21% and 5% of patients respectively. A transient hypocalcemia developed in a few patients in the course of therapy.

There were no statistical differences in serum Zn, Mg, K and P levels between patients and controls.

Keywords: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), serum calcium, trace elements, uric acid