Endogenous TNF induction therapy using rTNF-SAM2 in patients with pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer

Distant metastases from colorectal cancer are generally refractory to conventional therapies, with the exception of surgical resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of endogenous TNF induction therapy by using a mutant TNF (rTNF-SAM2) as a primer in endogenous/exogenous TNF therapy (EET therapy) in patients with pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer.

The subjects were 17 patients, 5 of whom underwent EET therapy alone and 12 of whom underwent EET therapy and the administration of anticancer agents.

Partial response was observed in 6 patients (50%) who underwent EET therapy with anticancer agents. In seven (53.8%) of 13 patients who showed a high serum CEA value, their CEA levels were considered to be improved. Severe toxic effects occurred in 3 of the patients studied (17.6%). The mean survival was 26.0 months among those with a partial response and 16.6 months among those with no change. No significant difference was observed between these two groups. Histological assessments indicated that tumor necrosis, fibrosis and cellular infiltration tended to intensify in cases treated with EET therapy compared with the cases who received surgery alone.

EET therapy with anticancer agents is well-tolerated and effective for pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer.