Transient increase of plasma interleukin-6 after infusion of recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha in advanced cancer patients

Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha administered in the therapy of advanced cancer influences certain hormones and cytokines secretion. In turn, these also mo dulate the biological activity of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha. It has been shown in several studies that the cytokine Interleukin -6 (IL)-6 is produce d in response to various hormones and other citokines eg. Tumor Necrosis Fa ctor (TNF alpha). In our study we focused on the Interleukin-6 (IL-6) secre tion in response to TNF alpha administration in 12 patients undergoing TNF alpha biotherapy due to advanced neoplastic disease. Plasma IL-6 was estima ted prior and at various time points (2, 3, 5 a,d 12 hours) after TNF alpha intravenous infusion. IL-6 level was estimated with ELISA method. In conclusion, we suggest the stimulating influence of hrec TNF alpha admin istered as therapy for advanced cancer on IL-6 secretion.