Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and production of this cytokine by polymorphonuclear cells in breast cancer patients.

Unstimulated as well as zymosan and LPS-stimulated production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) by polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) was investigated in breast cancer patients. Serum levels of TNF-alpha were also determined. Spontaneous TNF-alpha production was lower, comparable with that found in healthy persons. Zymosan and LPS-stimulated PMNs of cancer patients were found to produce significantly lower amounts of TNF-alpha, as compared with PMNs of healthy control. There was no significant differences in the serum levels of TNF-alpha between breast cancer patients and healthy persons. Because the peripheral blood cells contain more than 50% PMNs, the altered TNF-alpha production by PMNs may have a series of relevant implications during malignant process and seems to be one of the factors helpful in determining the cellular immunology potency of breast cancer patients.