Monocyte esterase deficiency in malignant neoplasia.

Abstract

A survey of the incidence of monocyte esterase deficiency in 4000 inpatients (including 808 with malignant neoplastic disease) and 474 normal controls was performed using an automated esterase method. A highly significant excess of patients with malignant disease and the deficiency was evident when compared with normal controls or all other patients. Within the group of patients with malignant disease the demonstrable excess occurred in B chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma, and carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract. There was also a significant excess of patients with the deficiency attending the renal unit, both among patients who had had renal transplants and those who had not. A familial incidence of monocyte esterase . deficiency was found in 19 (35%) of first degree relatives of those patients in whom family studies were done.It is suggested that the reason for the increased prevalence of the anomaly in these disorders might be that the diminution of esterase activity has a role in their development.

Carboxylesterase 1 (Ces1): from monocyte marker to major player

“…An approximately 10-fold increased incidence of MED was demonstrated in B lymphoproliferative disease and gastrointestinal carcinoma compared with the incidence in blood donors 17 18. The deficiency has been demonstrated to be a familial characteristic (of autosomal nature),17 19–22 so the increased incidence in these diseases may reflect a susceptibility of MED subjects to the diseases, and substantiate the evidence for a role for the enzyme in tumour surveillance.…”

“…Subjects with constitutional deficiency of Ces1 may be at additional risk from the low level of dietary OP exposure to which all of us are constantly exposed. This could contribute to the observed increased incidence of MED in patients with B lymphoproliferative disease or gastrointestinal malignancy 17 18…”

In situ Detection of Human Monocyte/ Macrophage Serine Esterase-1 mRNA Expression in Human Tissues

“…Many attempts have been made to clarify the physiological function of monocyte serine esterase. Proteolytic properties have been investigated [20], and participation in detoxification and cytotoxicity against tumor cells has been proposed [7][8][9]17]. The latter function is based on the observations that inherited and acquired deficiency in monocyte serine esterase is associated with decreased cytotoxicity in vitro and that a lack of monocyte serine esterase activity can be observed in patients suffering from gastrointestinal cancer and malignant lymphomas [9].…”

“…Proteolytic properties have been investigated [20], and participation in detoxification and cytotoxicity against tumor cells has been proposed [7][8][9]17]. The latter function is based on the observations that inherited and acquired deficiency in monocyte serine esterase is associated with decreased cytotoxicity in vitro and that a lack of monocyte serine esterase activity can be observed in patients suffering from gastrointestinal cancer and malignant lymphomas [9]. The existence of a carboxyterminal endoplasmatic reticulum retention signal HIEL however locates HMSE-1 to the lumen of the endoplasmatic reticulum together with detoxifying enzymes such as P450 cytochromes which may also indicate a similar function.…”

“…These enzyme variants were also found in monocytederived macrophages and neoplastic derivatives of the monocyte/macrophage system [3][4][5][6]. Beside detoxification, cytotoxic properties have also been proposed for this enzyme [7][8][9], but the physiological function still remains obscure.…”