The use of an enzyme single fiber reactor in the study of leukemic cell proliferation: In vitro experiments and computer simulation

Abstract

This paper describes the use of an immobilized enzyme reactor in the study of the in vitro effects of lysine deprivation on leukemic blood. l-lysine α-oxidase is immobilized in a single hollow fiber reactor to remove lysine from the blood of sheep infected by BLV. The treatment relies on the higher sensitivity of leukemic cells to nutrient depletion than that of normal cells. A population balance model is used to describe the changes in the leukocyte proliferative capacity after treatment. Additionally, preliminary data from in vitro tests with human blood demonstrate the potential of l-lysine α-oxidase and the enzymatic reactor in treating leukemia.