[Neutrophil granulocyte function in patients with malignant neoplasms]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Hematology

Background:

• Advanced lung and stomach cancers (Stage III-IV) are associated with significant systemic changes.
• Immune cell function, particularly neutrophils, can be profoundly affected by malignancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the functional status of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in untreated patients with Stage III-IV lung and stomach cancer.
• To compare PMN activity and characteristics between cancer patients and healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of peripheral blood neutrophil counts and leukocyte cationic protein levels.
• In vitro assessment of PMN cytotoxic activity against K-562 cells.
• Evaluation of neutrophil responsiveness to stimuli and NBT-test values.

Main Results:

• Untreated cancer patients exhibited a marked increase in peripheral blood neutrophil counts.
• A decrease in leukocyte cationic protein levels was observed in cancer patients.
• PMN from cancer patients displayed significantly higher in vitro cytotoxic activity against K-562 cells compared to controls.
• This heightened activity was not accompanied by a typical reactive response to stimuli.
• The NBT-test value variation range was wider in cancer patients.

Conclusions:

• Polymorphonuclear neutrophils in advanced lung and stomach cancer patients show distinct functional alterations.
• Elevated cytotoxic activity of PMN in cancer, independent of stimuli response, suggests a dysregulated immune state.
• These findings highlight potential roles for PMN in cancer progression and immune evasion.