Effect of antiblastic polychemotherapy (CMF) on the number of circulating monocytes in patients with breast cancer

The behaviour of the number of circulating monocytes has been studied in 34 patients suffering from breast cancer and subjected to antiblastic polychemotherapy in accordance with the CMF pattern. In 25 patients the absolute number of monocytes fell after treatment, while in 9 it rose. The percentage of monocytopenic patients rose from 29% to 50% of the total series. The pathogenetic mechanisms of this behaviour are discussed and it is emphasized that antiblastic treatment with cytostatic drugs can be included among the causes of monocytopenia.