Tumor necrosis factor

Sci Am. 1988 May;258(5):59-60, 69-75. doi: 10.1038/scientificamerican0588-59.

Abstract

A century ago it was noted that a bacterial infection sometimes causes the regression of cancer. In 1975 the author found an explanation: the infection stimulates the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which has anticancer activity. Now TNF, an important regulator of inflammation and immunity, is in clinical trials as an anticancer drug.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / history
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Interleukin-1 / physiology
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / history
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* / adverse effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* / physiology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Interleukin-1
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha