Immune reaction of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome and progress of treatment

Chronic prostatitis (CP) is one common disease in males with persistent course and repeated recurrence. The incidence of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CAP/CPPS) consists of 2.5%similar to 16% of total cases, with its mechanism largely unknown. Current studies have suggested CP as one chronic male-specific disease caused by multiple factors and steps. In current studies regarding its pathogenesis mechanism, novel clinical typing and disease evaluation, the involvement of immune function is emerging. Similar to auto-immune disease, the pathogenesis mechanism of CAP/CPPS is related with innate immunity. During the whole process of occurrence and progression, multiple cytokines are involved and are closely related with T cell immune response. In this review, we discuss the typing of CAP/CPPRS, its relationship with auto-immune responses through analyzing the correlation of CAP/CPPRS with Th1 and Th2 cells as well as the immune therapy of CAP/CPPS, in an attempt to explore novel approaches for treating CAP/CPPS.