| Abstract | Twelve patients with superficial bladder cancer were treated with intravesical instillations of Rubratin (ASTA Pharma AG, Frankfurt, Germany), a cell-wall preparation of Nocardia rubra. The objective was to compare the immunostimulating effect of Rubratin with that of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Local immunostimulation was determined by cytokine induction in serially collected urine samples during the first 24 h after each instillation, leukocyte influx into the urine, and phenotypic analysis of the lymphocyte fraction. Levels of Rubratin-induced interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly elevated compared with pretherapy levels. Rubratin induced leukocyte influx into the urine. T-cell activation (IL-2 receptor and human leukocyte antigen-DR expression) can be induced, and CD4:CD8 cell ratios can be increased. All parameters indicated that Rubratin-induced immunostimulation was less than that associated with BCG. In conclusion, although local Rubratin-induced immunostimulation occurs in a limited number of patients, the amount of immunocompetent cells attracted to the bladder seems to be less than that associated with BCG therapy, thus resulting in lower levels of cytokine production (which may reflect less clinical efficacy). |
| Authors | E C de Boer, T M De Reijke, P C Vos, K H Kurth, D H Schamhart
(Affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.)
|
| Journal | Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
(Clin Infect Dis)
Vol. 31 Suppl 3
Pg. S109-14
(Sep 2000)
ISSN: 1058-4838 UNITED STATES |
| PMID | 11010835
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Chemical References |
- BCG Vaccine
- Cancer Vaccines
- Cell Wall Skeleton
- Cytokines
- cell wall skeleton, Nocardia
|
| Topics |
- Administration, Intravesical
- BCG Vaccine
(immunology, therapeutic use)
- Cancer Vaccines
(immunology, therapeutic use)
- Carcinoma, Transitional Cell
(therapy)
- Cell Wall Skeleton
(immunology, therapeutic use)
- Cytokines
(urine)
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Humans
- Leukocyte Count
- Male
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
- Nocardia
(immunology)
- Urinary Bladder
(immunology)
- Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
(therapy)
- Urine
(cytology)
|
