Abnormal Monocyte Function in Bladder Cancer Patients

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Abstract
Thirty-nine patients with various stages of bladder carcinoma were evaluated to determine alterations in monocyte function. Since the monocyte plays an important role in the effector arm of the immune system, defective function may explain the host''s inability to destroy neoplastic cells. As a group, these 39 patients demonstrated defective monocyte function. There was no correlation between tumor stage and degree of chemotactic defect. Patients with invasive carcinoma had a significant return of monocyte chemotactic response toward normal postoperatively (P 0.005). Monocyte function was also improved in 3 patients who received BCG immunotherapy (P < 0.05).