Journal
IMMUNOLOGY LETTERS
Volume 81, Issue 3, Pages 235-238Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/S0165-2478(02)00040-8
Keywords
mycobacterium bovis; interleukin-2; bladder neoplasms; bacillus Calmette-Guerin
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is currently employed in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer but, despite its recognized effectiveness in preventing recurrences and progression, the immune mechanisms behind its antitumor activity remain to be delineated. In this Study we provide evidence that a prolonged increase in the plasma levels of IL-2, but not IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-10, IL-2R or TNF-alpha occured in patients affected by bladder cancer following effective BCG treatment. Conversely, a drop in circulating IL-2 was consistently associated with tumor relapse. The level of IL-2 was elevated even further 15 days after the last BCG administration in patients who did not experience tumor recurrence, suggesting a prolonged T cell-mediated response against antigens other than BCG. Our results indicate that a specific type I immune response plays a major role in the anti-cancer activity of BCG. In addition, monitoring IL-2 plasma levels may offer a useful tool for predicting tumor recurrences. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available