title: Effects of long-term combination chemotherapy on the reticuloendothelial system.
abstract: The phagocytic and metabolic functions of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) were studied in 20 postoperative cancer patients undergoing long-term combination chemotherapy. Each course included vincristine, methyl-CCNU (day 1) and 5-fluorouracil (days 1-5) every sixth week. The RES-test was performed prior to each course, using 125I-labeled microaggregated human serum albumin. Total leukocytes, mononuclear cells and platelets were monitored before, during and after each treatment. A significant, initial impairment of the catabolic function of the RES was found (2P = 0.006). A similar, nonsignificant trend was observed in the phagocytic function. The normalization may mirror the large metabolic capacity of the RES. This is further demonstrated by the fact that splenectomized (N = 9) and nonsplenectomized patients did not differ. A significant decrease was also found in total leukocytes and mononuclear cells (2P less than 0.001). Combination chemotherapy induced a similar myelosuppression in both groups, but did not further reduce the mobile RES in asplenic individuals.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012157:Mononuclear Phagocyte System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D012711:Serum Albumin, Radio-Iodinated; D013156:Splenectomy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012711:Serum Albumin, Radio-Iodinated