Phagocytosis and killing of Candida albicans by blood monocytes from patients with non-seminomatous testicular carcinoma: effect of chemotherapy.

Blood monocytes were isolated from 14 patients with non-seminomatous testicular carcinoma and tested for phagocytic and fungicidal activity towards Candida albicans. Before chemotherapy, monocyte function in the patients was not different from that of normal controls. However, patients with alpha-foetoprotein in their serum had a lower phagocytic activity compared with patients without alpha-foetoprotein. No correlation with the histology of the tumor, the clinical stage or the presence in serum of human chorionic gonadotropin was observed. Serum from the patients had no influence on the functions of normal monocytes. During intensive chemotherapy with cisplatinum, bleomycin and vinblastine, a reversible impairment in phagocytosis and killing of C. albicans occurred which had no correlation with the development of febrilia. Two months after the completion of chemotherapy the monocyte functions were unchanged as compared with pretreatment values. In conclusion, the temporary depression of monocyte functions towards C. albicans during chemotherapy might, in addition to other risk factors, predispose the patient to fungal infection.