Liver and tumour tissue concentrations of TNF-alpha in cancer patients treated with TNF-alpha and melphalan by isolated liver perfusion

British Journal of Cancer
P J KuppenA M Eggermont

Abstract

In this study we determined the level of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in liver and tumour tissue samples obtained from patients with colorectal metastases confined to the liver, who were treated with isolated liver perfusion with TNF-alpha and melphalan. We adapted a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for the quantification of TNF-alpha in serum to measure the amount of this cytokine in solid tissue. For this purpose, we developed a buffer that lysed the tissues without affecting the TNF-alpha present. The minimum detection level was about 2 pg of TNF-alpha per mg tissue. Using this technique, we found a significant increase in the TNF-alpha level after perfusion in the liver tissue of all evaluable patients, which may explain the transient liver toxicity we observed in all patients. In tumour tissue, a significant TNF-alpha increase was observed in one out of five patients. The level of TNF-alpha in all liver tissue samples and some of the tumours after treatment by isolated liver perfusion was much higher than the peak serum concentrations obtained after systemic administration of the maximum tolerated dose of TNF-alpha. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the level of TNF-alpha in the liver tissue sampl...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.