In vitro peripheral monocyte culture: possible use as a prognostic indicator for renal cell carcinoma patients.

An in vitro assay was applied to follow 39 patients with renal cell carcinoma. A mononuclear cell-rich fraction was cultured from peripheral blood of patients over a period of 7 days. The number of adherent matured monocytes (macrophages) was analyzed and quantitated at the end of the culture period. Functional activities were analyzed by antibody-coated sheep red blood cells and nonspecific esterase staining techniques. Macrophage yield in patients with detectable tumor burden was 2.06 +/- 2.81 X 10(4) cells/ml blood, and mean values at 3, 6, and 9 months post nephrectomy were 3.67 (n = 21), 6.73 (n = 12), and 9.41 (n = 10) X 10(4) cells/ml blood, respectively. Some of the patients were followed over 30 months. The improvement was significant, and macrophage yield was close to normal values (8.24 +/- 3.14 X 10(4) cells/ml). In the absence of other reliable in vitro assays for these patients, this assay appears to be highly useful in following these patients during the postsurgical period.