LACK OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN NUTRITION-RELATED PARAMETERS WITH TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR TREATMENT OF CANCER

Cancer and its therapies frequently produce anorexia and cachexia. In this study, the acute (3 days) and chronic (4 wks) nutrition-related e ffects of cancer therapy with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rHuTNF) were investigated and described. Nutritional status, as measu red by body weight and body composition (body fat and lean-to-fat rati o) with use of bioelectrical impedance, did not appear to deteriorate. None of the serum lipids changed significantly, but triglycerides did rise modestly over four weeks of therapy. Glucose and the peptide hor mones (insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide) thoug ht to affect appetite did not change with rHuTNF therapy. Therefore, a lthough TNF is thought to contribute to wasting in animal models, it h ad no negative effect on nutritional status in our small sample. The l ack of adverse effect noted in this study is possibly due to the low d ose level of rHuTNF or to adaptation.