Effect of cis-platinum on human blood monocyte function in vitro

The influence of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) on human blood monocyte functions in vitro was studied. With cis-DDP added to the cell suspensions in concentrations between 10(2) and 10(-6) microM just before assay of monocyte functional capacity no significant changes in chemotactic, chemokinetic, phagocytic, or fungicidal activities were observed. However, with preincubation at 1 microM for 60 min cis-DDP selectively inhibited chemotaxis, but not chemokinesis or phagocytosis. This inhibition was more pronounced at 37 degrees C than at 4 degrees C, and was not reversed by washing of the cells. The implications of these findings for clinical oncology are discussed.