Prognostic Significance of Peripheral Blood CD8^highCD57⁺ Lymphocytes in Bladder Carcinoma Patients After Intravesical IL-2

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the recurrence-preventing effect of intravesical instillations of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma. In addition, this study aimed to determine the significance of immune parameters for recurrence-free interval. Patients and Methods: Twenty-six patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma were treated with intravesical instillations of IL-2 (Proleukin®, Novartis, formerly Chiron) in doses of 9×10⁶ IU on 5 consecutive days, beginning on the second day after transurethral resection (TUR) of tumours. CD8^highCD57⁺ lymphocytes in peripheral blood were determined before TUR and compared with the recurrence-free interval after treatment. Results: The multivariate analysis showed that CD8^highCD57⁺ lymphocytes had a prognostic significance in combination with number of bladder tumours, prior recurrence rate and age of patients. Conclusion: Peripheral blood CD8^highCD57⁺ lymphocytes have prognostic significance for recurrence-free survival in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma after TUR and intravesical IL-2.