TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA IN ISOLATED PERFUSION SYSTEMS IN THE TREATMENT OF CANCER - THE ROTTERDAM PRECLINICAL-CLINICAL PROGRAM

The clinical success of the application of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) in isolated limb perfusions in patients with advanced sar comas, melanomas and other tumors has renewed the interest in this age nt as an anticancer drug. At the Rotterdam Cancer Center, we have deve loped an interactive preclinical-clinical TNF alpha program that explo res new methods to use TNF alpha in various settings. Regional organ p erfusion models were developed and the effectivity of targeting of TNF alpha to the tumor by means of systemic administration of liposomes a re tested. Furthermore various drugs and mechanisms that may enhance t he activity of TNF alpha are under investigation. A summary of this co mprehensive program is presented here. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.