Leukocytes and cytokines in the urine of superficial bladder cancer patients after intravesical immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

The urine of superficial bladder cancer patients treated intravesically with BCG was examined for the presence of leukocytes and cytokines. The number of leukocytes was markedly increased 24h and 48h after five or more BCG instillations. Flow cytofluorometric analysis revealed that, in addition to large numbers of granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages and T-lymphocytes were clearly detectable. The T cells were predominantly CD4+ and probably activated, since they expressed IL2 receptors and HLA-DR. The cytokines IL1, IL2, IL6 and TNF alpha were also increased after BCG instillations. These cytokines and leukocytes may play a role in the antitumor activity of BCG.