DISCOVERY MEDICINE, cilt.37, sa.195, ss.647-658, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
Interleukins (ILs) are a group of cytokines that regulate immune responses and inflammation, playing important roles in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of urological diseases. This review provides an analysis of the involvement of interleukins in bladder cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), urinary tract infections (UTIs), interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), and urolithiasis. ILs regulate immune cell activity and mediate tumor progression, immune evasion, and inflammation, making them valuable biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18 are associated with disease severity and prognosis in bladder cancer, RCC, and BPH. Additionally, IL-10 is antiinflammatory, offering therapeutic potential in chronic inflammatory conditions such as BPH and IC/BPS. Emerging therapies targeting IL pathways, including IL-2 and IL-17 inhibitors, have shown promise in modulating immune responses and improving clinical outcomes. The diagnostic utility of urinary IL biomarkers, particularly IL-6 and IL-8, has been demonstrated in UTIs and urolithiasis. This review highlights not only the therapeutic potential of interleukins but also their integral role in the immunopathology of urological diseases, distinguishing it from previous analyses by emphasizing IL-targeted therapies to improve diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.