Monocytopoiesis in malignant melanoma: untreated, during immunotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy.

Monocytopoiesis and blood monocytes were investigated in patients with superficial spreading melanoma stages I and II. Monocyte production was moderately increased in 4 of 9 untreated patients. Postoperative prophylactic BCG-vaccination gave rise to increased proliferation activity in 3 of 4 patients with previously normal monocytopoiesis. However, monocyte production returned to normal between the 4th and 6th month of BCG immunotherapy. Monocytopoietic hyperproliferation did not occur if DTIC was administered simultaneously with BCG. These results indicate that BCG-vaccination increases monocytopoiesis during the first months of treatment only. This effect is abrogated by concomitant chemotherapy.