Cytokine levels in patients with urinary tract cancer

It is known that cytokine exert cytotoxic effect on certain tumor cell lines, as well as that cytokines production might be influenced by tumor cells. Therefore, serum and urine levels of TNF and IL-1 were determined by RIA in 20 patients with upper urinary tract cancer, 26 with urinary bladder cancer, and compared with those of 52 healthy blood bank donors. Serum levels of TNF in cancer patients were found moderately increased, and those of IL-1 unchanged. Conversely, urinary excretion of TNF was shown decreased in both upper urinary tract and urinary bladder cancer patients, while IL-1 excretion was not significantly changed. Tumor grade was not found to influence serum and urine levels of the cytokines studied. Unstimulated and PHA- and Con A-stimulated production of TNF by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was within the normal range, suggesting that other sources such as tumor cells have to be considered for the increase in the serum level. Basal production of IL-1 was lowered in patients with upper urothelial cancer. Further investigation are required to ascertain and reveal the possible mechanism of the decreased urinary excretion associated with increased serum levels of TNF in urinary tract cancer.