[Tumor necrosis factor and cachectin. The same hormone with multiple effects]

Tumor necrosis factor (= TNF) is a polypeptide hormone produced mainly by macrophages and so named according to its cytostatic and cytocidal properties. Its recent structural and functional characterization has led to the recognition of its multiple effects: TNF administration elicits a state of shock with multi-organ lesions, reminiscent of endotoxinemia, and induces wasting similar to the one associated with chronic debilitating diseases, justifying its denomination as cachectin. At a cellular level, TNF exerts a wide range of biological activities, many of them also ascribed to another macrophage-associated cytokine, namely interleukin-1. Its pleotropic effects suggest it might be the mediator of many pathological phenomenons and therefore, attempts at modulating its production might have greater clinical impacts than its use as an antineoplastic agent.