Tumor necrosis factor-α in the pathogenesis and treatment of cancer

The critical pathogenic role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α in inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease is well established. The role played by TNFα in both the treatment and pathogenesis of cancer remains less understood. Recent advances help to create a f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in pharmacology 2004-08, Vol.4 (4), p.314-320
Main Authors: Anderson, G Mark, Nakada, Marian T, DeWitte, Mark
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Humans
Neoplasms - etiology
Neoplasms - therapy
Signal Transduction
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - antagonists & inhibitors
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - physiology
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - therapeutic use
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Summary:The critical pathogenic role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α in inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease is well established. The role played by TNFα in both the treatment and pathogenesis of cancer remains less understood. Recent advances help to create a framework for understanding seemingly paradoxical effects of TNFα as both an anti-tumour agent and a mediator of tumour growth. High pharmacological doses of TNFα combined with chemotherapy can regress otherwise intractable tumours, and efforts continue to optimize delivery to avoid severe toxicities. Mounting evidence demonstrates that pathophysiological concentrations of endogenous TNFα act to promote tumour genesis and growth. The cellular and molecular pathways mediating these phenomena are starting to be clarified. Current data support the continued development of both TNFα and anti-TNFα therapy for clinical treatment of cancers in distinct settings.
ISSN:1471-4892
1471-4973
DOI:10.1016/j.coph.2004.04.004