Tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Recent studies suggest that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a pleiotropic cytokine, is responsible for some of the systemic and local effects, including tumor-associated cachexia and neoplastic bone destruction, seen in patients with cancer. This study was undertaken to determine if TNF-alpha is produced by human squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and, if so, to determine its source and cellular distribution. Tumor specimens from nine patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region were immunohistochemically examined for the presence of TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha was localized with antibody to human TNF-alpha by the immunoperoxidase method to the tumor and vessel endothelial cells in all nine specimens. By Western blot analysis, two protein bands recognized by anti-human TNF-alpha antibody in the soluble proteins of the tumor specimens were identified. These proteins--25 KD and 17 KD--represent the precursor and mature forms of TNF-alpha. To verify squamous cell carcinoma production of TNF-alpha, a cell culture of human head and neck squamous carcinoma was examined. The 25 KD immunoreactive protein, the TNF-alpha precursor, was found in extracts from this culture by Western blot analysis. These findings suggest that tumor cells are able to produce TNF-alpha; this production may explain some of the systemic and local effects seen in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.