Restoration of defective EAG-rosetting capacity of cancer patient neutrophils by levamisole

Abstract

Levamisole, used in vitro at therapeutic concentrations, was found able to restore the defective Fc‐receptor activity of cancer patient neutrophils. In addition, the drug prevented the inhibition of normal neutrophils Fc‐receptor function by cancer patient sera. The neutrophil Fc‐receptor function was also restored in six of seven cancer patients after in vivo administration of levamisole (2.5 mg/Kg/day for 3 days). Due to the central role played by the Fc‐receptor function in host defence mechanisms, including phagocytosis as well as antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity, the capacity of levamisole to restore defective neutrophil Fc‐receptor function in cancer patients could contribute to the “immunomodulating” effect of the drug.