Neutrophil and lymphocyte function in male subjects with prostate cancer in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was to ascertain the absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte count and functions in male subjects with prostate cancer. Subjects with clinical evidence of prostate cancer were recruited for this study and classified based on drug administration for 12 weeks (subjects on drug therapy and those not on drug therapies). Neutrophil function using Nitroblue Tetrazolium dye reduction, Lymphocyte transformation (%) using mitogens (concanavalin A and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), CD4⁺ count (cells/μl) using cyflow counter, Total white blood cell count (x 10⁹/L), Absolute lymphocyte count (x 10⁹/L), and Absolute neutrophil count (x 10⁹/L) were used as markers of immune function. Neutrophil function, percentage lymphocyte transformation using phytohaemagglutinin and concanavallin A in prostate cancer subjects were significantly lower (P=0.000) when compared with values obtained from the control group. They were also significantly lower (P=0.000) in prostate cancer subjects on drug therapy compared with those not on therapy. This study shows reduced Neutrophil function and lymphocyte transformation in prostate cancer subjects, indicating possible impairment of this arm of the immune system in prostate cancer and may be the evasion mechanism adopted by cancer cells to thrive.