Defective Function of Granulocytes in Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Mobilization of granulocytes into a serum-filled chamber, histochemical nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction tests, and phagocytosis were performed in 11 patients with solid tumors treated with surgical excision and chemotherapy and in 22 untreated or surgically treated patients. The results revealed a decreased mobilization (p less than 0.001) and an impaired capability of neutrophils to reduce NBT after stimulation (p less than 0.05) in both groups of patients. The decrease in the values in the stimulated reduction of NBT was more pronounced in untreated patients than in treated ones. At the same time the phagocytic activity of neutrophils on Candida albicans, which was decreased (p less than 0.01) in untreated patients, was normal in those who had been treated with chemotherapy. There were no distinctive correlations between circulating immune complexes and granulocyte function. We propose that this newly demonstrated defect in neutrophil mobilization and low median C. albicans-stimulated NBT reduction contributes more in the evolution of the tumor than in the pathogenesis of infections and that chemotherapy seems to restore a better granulocyte function.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils and cancer: Intense and sustained neutrophilia as a treatment against solid tumors

“…For example, the PMN can show a generalized defect in the ability to mobilize in patients with proliferative hematological disease337–342 and solid tumors 343–345. They may also show a reduction in oxidative metabolism in solid tumors345–351 and also in leukemias 346, 352–354. PMN from patients with gynecological cancer may show a reduced production of the superoxide anion 355.…”

“…PMN from patients with gynecological cancer may show a reduced production of the superoxide anion 355. Further, the phagocytic capacity of PMN can be strongly reduced in patients with leukemia or lymphoma,356–363 in patients with bone marrow metastasis,364 in patients with urogenital cancer,365 and other solid tumors,345 and in patients with myeloma 340. In addition, many authors have reported a diminished bactericidal or candidacidal capacity of PMN in patients with hematological cancer352, 362, 366–371 and in those with solid tumors,296, 366, 367 and a reduced cytostatic or cytotoxic activity against cancer cells compared to PMN from normal donors 20, 34…”

Characterization of Perioperative Leukocytosis in Patients Undergoing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Effects of Gleason Score and Race

“…15 Defects in the neutrophil cytotoxic oxidative metabolism have been found with increased incidence in patients with lung cancer 16 and other solid organ diseases. 15 Similarly, the associations between defective leukocyte chemotaxis and motility and melanoma, 17 breast cancer, 18 and colon cancer 19 have been demonstrated. Furthermore, there has long been evidence that cancer tumors produce factors that inhibit neutrophil function.…”

Characterization of Perioperative Leukocytosis in Patients undergoing Robotic assisted Retropubic Prostatectomy: Effects of Gleason score and Race

“…[15] Defects in neutrophil cytotoxic oxidative metabolism have been found with increased incidence in patients with lung cancer[16] and other solid organ diseases [15]. Similarly, association between defective leukocyte chemotaxis and motility and melanoma [17], breast cancer [18], and colon cancer [19] have been demonstrated.…”