[Cardiotoxic effect of the herec-TNF alpha preparation given intravenously to patients with advanced neoplasms]

The group of 17 patients with advanced neoplastic disease has been treated with combined therapy with herec TNF alpha in association with IFN alpha and 5-Fu, the cardiotoxic effect of herec TNF alpha administration has been observed. The 30 minutes intravenous infusion of herec TNF alpha caused statistically significant increase of heart rate (in comparison to the previous value). There was also observed the decreasing of blood pressure value (about approximately 20-30 mmHg), spontaneously disappeared after the infusion ending. Rarely, the heart rhythm disturbances i.e.: ventricle extrasystoles in II, III, IV in Lown score have been observed. In 2 cases there was additional pharmacological treatment. In the rest of the patients the early cardiotoxic effects have not been associated with haemodynamic disturbances.