CYTOKINE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH URINARY-TRACT CANCER

It is known that cytokine exert cytotoxic effect on certain tumor cell lines, as well as that cytokines production might be influenced by tu mor cells. Therefore, serum and urine levels of TNF and IL-1 were dete rmined by RTA in 20 patients with upper urinary tract cancer, 26 with urinary bladder cancer, and compared with those of 52 healthy blood ba nk donors. Serum levels of TNF in cancer patients were found moderatel y increased, and those of IL-1 unchanged. Conversely, urinary excretio n of TNF was shown decreased in both upper urinary tract and urinary b ladder cancer patients, while IL-1 excretion was not significantly cha nged. Tumor grade was not found to influence serum and urine levels of the cytokines studied. Unstimulated and PHA - and Con A-stimulated pr oduction of TNF by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was within the n ormal range, suggesting that other sources such as tumor cells have to be considered for the increase in the serum level. Basal production o f IL-1 was lowered in patients with upper urothelial cancer. Further i nvestigation are required to ascertain and reveal the possible mechani sm of the decreased urinary excretion associated with increased serum levels of TNF in urinary tract cancer.