Alterations of dendritic cell subsets and TH1/TH2 cytokines in the peripheral circulation of patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokines play an important role in the tumor growth and recurrence. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (STCCB) and 38 healthy controls were studied to investigate the percentages of DC subsets, monocyte-derived DC (MoDC) function, and alterations of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. MoDCs were generated and three-color flow cytometry was used for determining the phenotype of MoDCs and DC subsets. The ability to stimulate autologous T cells was tested in mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). The levels of various cytokines were measured using commercially available sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: The myeloid DC (mDC) counts, MoDC surface molecular expression, and stimulatory capacity to T cells were impaired in STCCB patients than in controls. The percentage of mDC and the expression of CD80, CD83, and CD86 were lower in patients showing recurrence. The serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ were found to be significantly lower while IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly higher in STCCB patients than in controls. IL-6 was found to be significantly higher in recurrent patients. CONCLUSION: The impairment of mDC counts and MoDC function with imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines was closely associated with proliferation and recurrence of STCCB.