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Summary
Cured cancer patients show impaired neutrophil function, evidenced by reduced nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction. This neutrophil dysfunction may persist long after treatment, even in disease-free survivors.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Hematology
Background:
- Neutrophils play a crucial role in innate immunity.
- Cancer treatment can impact immune cell function.
- Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction is a measure of neutrophil oxidative burst activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neutrophil function in individuals cured of solid malignancies.
- To assess nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction in cancer survivors.
- To compare NBT reduction in cancer patients versus healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated spontaneous and endotoxin-stimulated NBT dye reduction in 86 cured cancer patients and 55 healthy adults.
- Conducted oxygen consumption tests on polymorphonuclear leukocytes from 22 patients and 10 controls.
- Analyzed NBT reduction values and oxygen consumption data.
Main Results:
- Patients cured of cancer exhibited impaired neutrophil NBT dye reduction compared to controls.
- Stimulated NBT reduction was significantly more affected than spontaneous reduction (p < 0.0005 vs p < 0.01).
- Impaired NBT reduction was observed even in patients treated with surgery alone or with long disease-free intervals.
Conclusions:
- Neutrophil dysfunction, specifically impaired NBT reduction, may be present in cured cancer patients.
- The observed neutrophil abnormality might persist long-term after cancer treatment.
- The clinical significance and underlying mechanisms of this neutrophil dysfunction require further investigation.