Decreased expression of receptors on monocytes from cancer patients

The expression of crystallizable fragment and complement receptor sites was significantly decreased on the peripheral blood monocytes from 10 patients with advanced carcinoma. In addition the phagocytic activity of these cells was depressed, although no differences in the content of lysosomal enzymes could be demonstrated by staining techniques. These results suggest that the functions of monocytes from such cancer patients may be severely depressed.