THERAPY WITH CYTOKINES IN SUPERFICIAL BLA DDER-CARCINOMA - INITIAL RESULTS

The object of immunotherapy is the elemination of tumor cells mediated by modulation of the immune system. This can be achieved by different mechanisms, i.e. cell-mediated and humorally mediated immune reaction s. Immunotherapy can be classified as passive, adoptive, active and no n-conventional. Most clinical experience has been gathered with unspec ific active immunotherapy. Superficial bladder carcinomas can be treat ed by intravesical application of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) or of different cytokines, i.e., interferons or interleukin-2. Since there has not so far been any standard immunotherapy for superficial bladder carcinoma, the efficacy of therapy with cytokines should be evaluated in clinical studies (phase II/III) only.