[Changes in the cytokine concentration during immunotherapy of superficial bladder tumors]

A growing number of data support the importance of urinary cytokines in the BCG immunotherapy of superficial bladder tumours. To investigate kinetics and stability, urinary levels of IL-8, IL-2 and IL-6 cytokines after BCG treatment, were determined. Significant elevation in the level of IL-8 was established immediately following the first BCG instillation and it reached its highest value 4-6 hours after the treatment. During the first three weeks of the treatment and follow-up period IL-8 peaked significantly earlier than IL-2 or IL-6. Its early appearance associated with high stability makes IL-8 a good candidate for being considered as an effective agent with high predictive value in BCG immunotherapy.