1. Effects of Neoplastic Disease and Local X-Irradiation on Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Functions
- Author
-
Jacob Zighelboim, Ruth Gallily, and John L. Fahey
- Subjects
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte ,biology ,Chemistry ,Solid cancer ,Lymphocyte ,Phagocytosis ,Chemotaxis ,biology.organism_classification ,Molecular biology ,Corpus albicans ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,medicine ,Candida albicans ,Intracellular - Abstract
The aim of this study was to study polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) functions in patients with solid tumor prior to or following X-irradiation. We observed that PMNs from patients with head and neck cancer exhibited decreased chemotaxis, while phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Candida albicans were normal. In contrast, PMNs from other solid cancer exhibited decreased intracellular killing of C. albicans, while chemotaxis and phagocytosis functions were normal. Local body X-irradiation significantly decreased PMN chemotaxis and intracellular killing of Candida albicans, but had no effect on phagocytosis. The effect on PMN function was dose-dependent and observed in 46 out of 65 patients (71%) that received a dose above 1000 Rad. Patients whose PMNs exhibited normal chemotaxis after receiving a dose above 1000 Rad, had comparable numbers of granulocytes and lymphocytes than those showing significant depression. No correlation was found between chemotaxis and circulating leukocyte number. Also, no correlation was found between the effects of X-irradiation on PMN functions and circulating lymphocyte number. In summary, patients with solid tumors show selective defects in PMN functions.
- Published
- 2019