Follow-up of the effect of BCG in bladder tumour patients

The intravesical BCG effect in 38 patients with superficial bladder tumour after TUR was followed by the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) and the staphylococcus phagocytosis test of in vitro washed leukocytes. The results have confirmed the immunostimulating and hence anti-tumour effect of intravesical BCG. The beginning and the duration of the stimulation effect were defined and the necessity of maintenance treatment was verified. Authors consider monitoring of the cellular immune response suitable for the continuous follow-up of the BCG effect. Comparing the tolerable side-effects with their favourable therapeutic results, BCG is considered to be suitable for the prevention of recurrences in treating superficial bladder tumours.