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The Role of the Phagocyte in Host-Parasite Interactions

V. Phagocytic and Bactericidal Activities of Leukocytes from Patients with Different Neoplastic Disorders¹

Department of Pathology and Medical Research, St. Margaret's Hospital and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02125

A study was undertaken to assess the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with various neoplastic diseases. The phagocytic and bactericidal capabilities of leukocytes were assayed using an experimental system which consisted of buffy coat leukocytes, serum, and a test organism: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Staphylococcus albus. The phagocytic activity of leukocytes from patients with neoplastic diseases was compared with results obtained with leukocytes from normal individuals. In general, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoma, and various carcinomas were found to exhibit abnormal leukocytic activities. Serum -globulin levels and hemagglutinin titers were also followed. There was no correlation between abnormal leukocytic activity and the humoral factors studied. Many patients were tested on more than 1 occasion, and variation in leukocytic activity during the course of testing was found in some patients.

¹ This investigation was supported by USPHS Research Grant CA 05307 from the National Cancer Institute.

Received 7/18/66. Accepted 11/28/66.