Granulocytes as an effector mechanism of BCG therapy for bladder cancer

Abstract

The overall efficacy of BCG therapy is remarkably high but the mechanism of its action is still elusive. The success of BCG therapy depends on several factors that may give clues to its effector mechanism: a competent immune system, a sufficient number of live BCG, a development of fever and the death of cancer cells. Here we propose a theory for the action mechanism of the BCG therapy for the bladder cancer treatment by establishing the logical connection of these required elements. The center concept of the BCG therapy mechanism is to activate granulocytes that in turn kill bladder cancer cells directly by its major effector mechanism: degranulation.