Transformation of erythrocytes to spherocytes following incubation with malignant cells.

Incubation of erythrocytes from controls and patients with colorectal carcinoma with tumor cells, or their metabolites, caused transformation of the normally-shaped cells to spherocytes. It is assumed that abnormal metabolites produced by malignant cells affect the cell membrane inducing the subsequent appearance of spherocytes. The increased destruction of these cells by the reticuloendothelial system may serve as an additional factor for the explanation of anemia accompanying malignant diseases.