title: The anti-tumor activity of bacillus Calmette-Guerin in bladder cancer is associated with an increase in the circulating level of interleukin-2.
abstract: 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 1 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.
authors.affiliation: Unità di Urologia, Universita' degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Magno
authors.forename: Darwin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Melloni
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galì
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mucciardi
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicocia
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melioli
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferlazzo
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D007376:Interleukin-2