The Effect of Transurethral Resection and BCG Therapy on Cytokine Levels in Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

In this study, we found that in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer cases, transurethral resection of bladder tumor decreased the tumor weight and accordingly, cytokine levels decreased. Abstract Objective: The present study investigated the effect of treatment on interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, and neopterin levels in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with NMIBC and 30 age-matched controls were included in the study. Preoperative, postoperative first control [at two weeks after second transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT)] and the second control (at the end of intravesical immunotherapy) blood samples were analyzed using ELISA to determine IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and neopterin levels. The mean cytokine levels of the patients were statistically compared and comparing the patients’ and controls’ levels. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the mean IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and neopterin levels of the patient and control groups before initial TURBT. In the patient group, there were no statistically significant differences in the IL-6 and IL-8 levels after both TURBT and intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. The mean of preoperative IL-1 and neopterin levels significantly decreased after TURBT (p<0.05). However, this reduction does not continue after intravesical BCG instillation. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and neopterin levels of the patients with NMIBC were similar to the levels of healthy controls. IL-1 and neopterin levels significantly decreased after TURBT. But these reduction did not continue after intravesical BCG instillation. These findings demonstrate that IL-1 and neopterin levels decrease after TURBT due to the reduction in tumor weight or tumor removal.