Immunophenotype of Inflammatory Cells in the Bladder Mucosa of Patients Treated with Intravesical BGG for Superficial Bladder Carcinoma

Abstract

The evolution of the local inflammatory response after conclusion of BCG endovesical prophylactic treatment of superficial bladder cancer recurrences was evaluated in 12 patients. Microscopic specimens obtained during follow-up cystoscopy were examined using an immunohistochemical technique. After suspension of BCG treatment (as well as during treatment) the phlogistic pattern is mainly represented by T-lymphocytes and particularly by the helper/inducer phenotype. No difference in the lymphocyte phenotype was observed between patients who responded and did not respond to BCG. In more than 50% of responders (but never in non-responders) aggregations of immunocompetent cells were observed, the role of which, although needing a larger series of observations, may be of some importance in preventing cancer recurrences.