Effect of lithium carbonate on monocyte to macrophage maturation in cancer patients

A decrease in the maturation process of monocytes into macrophage is observed in cancer patients. In this study the Authors examined: the maturation pattern of monocytes into macrophages in 14 patients of both sexes, between 45 and 70 years of age, with solid tumours of the lung, breast and gastrointestinal tract, without any infection; the variations induced on the maturation pattern as results of the administration of lithium carbonate. The results (evaluated statistically) show that in all patients there was a significant increase of monocytes-macrophages maturation from basal values, after 14 days of lithium carbonate treatment. Moreover, we also observed that 14 days after withdrawing of lithium carbonate, the values of monocytes-macrophages maturation return to their basal ones. The increase, as percentage of mean basal values, is higher in patients having low basal values of maturation.