Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced transformation of lymphocytes from patients with cancer

Abstract

Morphological transformation of lymphocytes by phytohemagglutinin was not related to age between 1 and 58 years. DNA and RNA synthesis in stimulated lymphocytes decreased with chronological age. Transformation and DNA synthesis in lymphocytes from patients with acute leukemia were similar to controls whether the patient was untreated or in remission. Synthesis of RNA was decreased in lymphocytes obtained before treatment and increased to above control values when the patient was in remission. There was a decrease in morphological transformation of lymphocytes in chronic leukemia. Morphological transformation of lymphocytes from patients with Hodgkin's disease was not related to the clinical stage of the disease, while DNA and RNA synthesis were significantly depressed in patients with Stages III and IV of the disease compared with Stage I. Transformation and DNA and RNA synthesis of lymphocytes from untreated patients with carcinomas of the female reproductive system and bronchogenic cancer were similar to control values.