Palliative intralesional interleukin-2 treatment in dogs with urinary bladder and urethral carcinomas.

AIM: The investigation of the influence of intralesional interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the clinical course and tumor progression in dogs suffering from urinary bladder and urethral carcinomas.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Medical records of 25 dogs diagnosed with advanced transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) were retrospectively reviewed. In 14 dogs, intralesional IL-2 treatment was performed by transabdominal ultrasound-guided injection. Seven dogs underwent cytoreductive surgery, followed by IL-2 injection into the tumor bed. All dogs received long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

RESULTS

Adverse effects associated with IL-2 treatment were not observed. At re-examination, 17 dogs showed marked clinical improvement and regression of tumor size. Four dogs were in complete remission.

CONCLUSION

Intralesional IL-2 application is a safe and minimally-invasive palliative treatment option in dogs suffering from advanced transitional cell carcinoma when surgical cure is impossible. Prognosis depends on tumor localization and feasibility of concomitant cytoreductive surgery.