To investigate the cytokine-stimulating activity of several Mycobacterium phlei cell wall extracts. The bacillus Calmette-Guérin application is the gold standard treatment for some types of superficial bladder carcinoma. However, its usage is limited due to its harmful side effects. Intensive research has been carried out to find less toxic and more potent therapeutic agents for treatment. Researchers focus on M. phlei for this purpose. The cell wall extract of M. phlei is sufficient for antitumoral activity. Materials and methods: In this study, M. phlei cells were cultured and several different cell wall extracts were prepared by physicochemical procedures. Human monocytic cell lines were incubated with these extracts, and tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-12 were determined in the samples. Results: Various cell extracts showed tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-12 stimulating activity. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) profiles of the samples were also obtained. The MALDI-MS spectra of the samples showed that peptides of 3808, 9207, 11,533, 12,460, and 21,587 Da may be involved in the immunostimulation activity. Conclusion: This study showed that peptides obtained from mycobacteria cell wall extracts may be used to prepare new antitumoral chemicals for the treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma.

To investigate the cytokine-stimulating activity of several Mycobacterium phlei cell wall extracts. The bacillus Calmette-Guérin application is the gold standard treatment for some types of superficial bladder carcinoma. However, its usage is limited due to its harmful side effects. Intensive research has been carried out to find less toxic and more potent therapeutic agents for treatment. Researchers focus on M. phlei for this purpose. The cell wall extract of M. phlei is sufficient for antitumoral activity. Materials and methods: In this study, M. phlei cells were cultured and several different cell wall extracts were prepared by physicochemical procedures. Human monocytic cell lines were incubated with these extracts, and tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-12 were determined in the samples. Results: Various cell extracts showed tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-12 stimulating activity. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) profiles of the samples were also obtained. The MALDI-MS spectra of the samples showed that peptides of 3808, 9207, 11,533, 12,460, and 21,587 Da may be involved in the immunostimulation activity. Conclusion: This study showed that peptides obtained from mycobacteria cell wall extracts may be used to prepare new antitumoral chemicals for the treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma.