REGULATION OF MOTILITY AND INVASION OF CANCER-CELLS BY HUMAN MONOCYTIC CELLS

Tumour tissues are frequently seen with monocyte/macrophage infiltrati on. This study was to establish the tale of monocytes on the motile an d invasive behaviour of human cancer cells. By using a co-culture tech nique, we have shown that both human peripheral blood monocytes and a monocytic cell line, U937, stimulated colon and breast cancer cell col ony scattering, motility, and invasion into a basement membrane (Matri gel). This effect was enhanced when monocytic cells were stimulated by a particulate stimulus. IL-4 and IL-10 reduced these effects of monoc ytes. We conclude that monocytic cells enhance the motility and invasi on of tumour cells. These effects can be regulated by inhibitory cytok ines of monocytes.