The association of interleukin-1β (IL-1B) -511C>T and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) VNTR, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-B1) 28C>T and interferon-γ (IFN-G)874T>A polymorphisms with bladder cancer (CaB) susceptibility and risk of recurrence in Bacillus CalmetteGurin (BCG)-treated patients was analyzed in 287 controls and 213 CaB patients (73 BCG treated). Increased risk was observed with the IL-1RN*2 allele (odds ratio (OR) 5.01) and the IFN-G 874 A allele (OR 1.78). TGF-B TT and IFN-G 874 A carriers were associated with reduced (hazard ratio (HR) 0.37) and enhanced (HR 2.24) risk of recurrence after BCG immunotherapy, respectively. The study suggests that cytokine gene variants may modulate CaB susceptibility and risk of recurrence after BCG immunotherapy. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd.