Effect of treatment on mononuclear cell migration in cervical cancer patients.

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of treatment on the in vitro migration of circulating mononuclear cells in cervical cancer patients at different stages. METHODS: We prospectively investigated 24 patients with cervical neoplasia, without prior treatment, submitted to surgery or chemotherapy as therapeutic conduct. Controls were healthy volunteer women (n = 23). Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral venous blood before and after treatment, and their migration capacity was evaluated in a microchemotaxis chamber assay towards the chemotactic stimuli fMLP, MCP-1 and RANTES, compared to basal migration. Serum levels of nitric oxide metabolites were assayed by the Griess reaction. RESULTS: Increased mononuclear cell migration in response to the chemotactic stimuli, compared to basal migration, was observed in controls and patients, without differences between them. After treatment (n = 14), mononuclear cell migration in response to MCP-1 and RANTES was increased compared to pre-treatment. Serum levels of nitric oxide metabolites were more elevated in patients (n = 19) than in controls (n = 17), but decreased after treatment (n = 15). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the production of soluble circulating factors by tumor cells could interfere with the functional activity of blood mononuclear cells.