MONOCYTE ACTIVATION IN PATIENTS WITH NONSEMINOMATOUS GERM-CELL TUMOR OF THE TESTIS BEFORE AND AFTER TUMOR-ERADICATION

Aims-To investigate the kinetics of normalisation of monocyte oxidativ e activity following tumour eradication. Methods-Whole blood lucigenin enhanced chemiluminescence was studied in patients with non-seminomat ous germ cell tumours. Group 1 comprised 14 patients who had been ((cu red)) of their cancer (the term ''cured'' as used in this report denot es a relapse free period of at least three years). Group 2 comprised 1 5 patients who were followed from diagnosis to up to two years after t he start of treatment. Results-Lucigenin enhanced chemiluminescence of whole blood in the ''cured'' patients was similar to that of controls and lower than that in patients who had not yet received chemotherapy (group 2). After treatment, chemiluminescence decreased slowly and di d not normalise until 18 months after the start of treatment. Tumour n ecrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) concentrations were normal in ''cured '' patients but were raised in those who had not yet received treatmen t. TNF alpha was normalised 12 months after start of treatment. Alpha- fetoprotein concentrations were raised in most patients but normalised rapidly after tumour eradication. Conclusions-The activity of blood m onocytes, as measured by whole blood lucigenin enhanced chemiluminesce nce, is increased in cancer. This activity may be a consequence of the presence of tumour cells. Immunocompetent cells remain active for ove r a year after eradication of the tumour.