URINARY INTERLEUKIN-2 MONITORING DURING PROLONGED BACILLUS CALMETTE-GUERIN TREATMENT: CAN IT PREDICT THE OPTIMAL NUMBER OF INSTILLATIONS?

Abstract

During a repeat BCG instillation course urinary IL-2 reached a maximum at an earlier week, especially if the interval between the subsequent courses was short. Since an association between urinary IL-2 levels and response to BCG treatment during an induction course has been observed, these immunological data argue in favor of a limited number of instillations during prolonged BCG therapy which could reduce side effects as well as costs.