Monocyte regulation of lymphokine production in cancer patients.

The effect of monocytes from patients with gastric cancer on lymphokine production was investigated. Patients' monocytes both augmented and reduced production of T-cell migration inhibitory factor (TIF) by normal and patients' T lymphocytes stimulated with PHA, while normal monocytes did not change or decreased the TIF production. This regulatory effect of cancer patients' monocytes on lymphokine production was independent of the initial potential of T cells to produce TIF. These observations suggest that the regulation of lymphokine production by monocytes is altered in some cancer patients.