tumour necrosis factor

Thesaurus

Noun

tumour necrosis factor - a proinflammatory cytokine that is produced by white blood cells (monocytes and macrophages); has an antineoplastic effect but causes inflammation (as in rheumatoid arthritis)TNF, tumor necrosis factorcytokine - any of various protein molecules secreted by cells of the immune system that serve to regulate the immune system

tumour necrosis factor

Either of two molecules—TNF-alpha or -beta—which mediate shock and tumour-related cachexia. TNF-alpha (cachexin) has sequence homology with other biological response mediators, including lymphotoxin, interferons, interleukin-l and granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor.

Cell roles
TNF-alpha is a multi-purpose molecule in the immune system: it is an endogenous pyrogen, induces apoptosis and inflammation, triggers the sepsis response by upregulating IL-1 and IL-6, and it inhibits tumourigenesis and viral replication. TNF-alpha misbehaviour is linked to Alzheimer's disease, cancer, depression and inflammatory bowel disease.
Toxicity
Fever, headache, hypotension, cachexia, chills, fatigue, anorexia and thrombocytopaenia.
Alternative oncology
Some providers of alternative healthcare believe that TNF can be used to stimulate the immune response in patients with immune suppression caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.