Another role for TNF-cachetin.Another role for TNF/cachectin Tumor necrosis factor tumor necrosis factor n. Abbr. TNF A protein that is produced in the presence of an endotoxin, especially by monocytes and macrophages, is able to attack and destroy tumor cells, and exacerbates chronic inflammatory diseases. (TNF TNF abbr. tumor necrosis factor TNF, n an abbreviation for tumor necrosis f ) is becoming a do-everything substance. First Rockefeller University researchers in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. realized that cachectin, the weight-loss-producing substance they had been working on for years, was essentially the same as tumor necrosis factor, a substance that researchers had isolated using its ability to kill cancer cells (SN: 8/31/85, p.132). Now a study described in the Oct. 30 NATURE indicates that cachectin can directly kill several kinds of viruses, independently of its ability to induce production of antiviral interferons in the body. The report comes from several German institutions and Genentech, Inc., in South San Francisco South San Francisco, city (1990 pop. 54,312), San Mateo co., W Calif.; inc. 1908. South San Francisco has several industrial parks; its manufactures include medical supplies and equipment, foods, paint, paper products, consumer goods, and clothing. , which is interested in the commercial potential of TNF. Whether it will be an anti-cancer drug, a weight-loss product or a cure for the common cold remains to be seen. |
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