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Intravesical BCG administration in the guinea pig. A histomorphological study
A P van der Meijden1, W H de Jong, P A Steerenberg
1Department of Urology, St. Radboud University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Virchows Archiv. B, Cell Pathology Including Molecular Pathology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy for bladder cancer causes inflammation in the bladder wall and lymph nodes. Higher doses can lead to granulomatous reactions in distant organs like the liver and lungs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is an adjuvant therapy for superficial bladder cancer.
- The antitumor mechanisms of BCG are not fully understood.
- Histopathological changes following BCG administration require characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histomorphological effects of intravesical BCG administration in guinea pigs.
- To characterize inflammatory and granulomatous responses in various organs after BCG treatment.
Main Methods:
- Guinea pigs received weekly intravesical BCG instillations (BCG-RIVM) for 6 weeks at doses ranging from 10^3 to 5x10^7 culturable particles (c.p.).
- Bladder wall, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and lungs were examined histologically post-mortem.
- Dose-dependent inflammatory and granulomatous reactions were assessed.
Main Results:
- BCG doses of 10^6 c.p. and higher induced mononuclear infiltrates in the bladder subepithelium.
- Approximately 50% of animals developed non-caseating granulomas in the bladder wall.
- Granulomatous reactions were observed in draining lymph nodes, and occasionally in the liver and lungs.
- A generalized inflammatory response, including spleen and distant lymph nodes, occurred in a subset of animals.
Conclusions:
- Intravesical BCG induces dose-dependent inflammatory and granulomatous responses in the bladder and associated lymph nodes.
- Higher BCG doses can elicit systemic inflammation, affecting organs such as the liver and lungs.
- These findings contribute to understanding the histopathological basis of BCG immunotherapy for bladder cancer.