Effect of Operation on Peripheral Lymphocyte Counts and Production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Lymphocyte bioenergetics in cancer patients undergoing surgery is largely unexplored. The effect of surgery on total lymphocyte counts and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production is reported. Lymphocyte ATP was assayed by the coupled enzymatic method using hexokinase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lymphocyte counts were calculated from total leukocyte counts and differential counts.Lymphocyte ATP assay and counts were camed out in 13 patients pre-and postoperatively, and lymphocyte counts were scored in six more patients similarly. In 69% of the patients lymphocyte ATP production was depressed postoperatively, and this condition appeared to be associated with cancer spread and immunosuppressive tumors. Postoperative increase in lymphocyte ATP was observed following hysterectomy, colostomy, and also after blood transfusion. The significance of the findings are discussed. Changes in postoperative lymphocyte counts correlated with lymphocyte ATP in 62% of the cases.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer

“…Depression of T-cell function, due to the generalised immune response, may thus attenuate the tumour-specific response. In addition, surgery in cancer patients has been shown to reduce lymphocyte adenosine triphosphate production [18], thus impairing lymphocyte function.…”

Negative impact of low body mass index on surgical outcomes after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Moreover, the low-BMI group had a reduced perioperative lymphocyte count, a high incidence of poorly differentiated or multiple HCCs, and had a high CLIP score compared with patients with a standard BMI. The reduced lymphocyte count suggests immunological suppression [22][23][24], while poorly differentiated and multiple HCCs are indicative of highly malignant tumors. Patients with a low BMI had a higher CLIP score and increased expression of malignant tumors, possibly due to worse nutritional and immunological status in comparison with the control group; conversely, the patients' poor nutritional and immunological conditions may be a result of the moremalignant tumors.…”

“…Hepatic reserve was assessed using the Child-Pugh classification [21], platelet count, and indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICG R 15 ). Patients' immunological states were assessed by the absolute counts of peripheral blood leukocytes and lymphocytes [22][23][24]. Blood tests were routinely performed on the day of admission and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7.…”

Fatigue associated with cancer and its treatment

“…Incubation of malignant cell lines with cytostatic drugs has resulted in marked decreases in intracellular ATP levels, the degree of decrease varying with the strength of the cytostatic drugs [72]. In an in vivo study, lymphocyte ATP decreased following surgery in 9 of 13 patients, and the decrease was associated with cancer spread and presence of immunosuppressive tumors [83].…”