TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR

Tumor necrosis factor can refer to:Tumor necrosis factors, a class of cytokinesTumor necrosis factor-alpha, the most frequently mentioned member of this class. When the phrase "Tumor necrosis factor" is used without qualification, it usually refers to thisTumor necrosis factor-beta, more commonly known as lymphotoxin
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF, cachexin or cachectin and formally known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha) is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. TNF causes apoptotic cell death, cellular proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, tumorigenesis, and viral replication.TNF's primary role is in the regulation of immune cells.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

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 [more]Tumor necrosis factor - Community and Resources

Noun
1. a proinflammatory cytokine that is produced by white blood cells (monocytes and macrophages); has an antineoplastic effect but causes inflammation (as in rheumatoid arthritis)
(synonym) tumour necrosis factor, TNF
(hypernym) cytokine

[TOO-mer ne-KRO-sis]
A type of biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease). Three types of tumor necrosis factor have been identified: alpha, beta, and gamma. Tumor necrosis factor seems to play a role in the breakdown of cancer cells.

alpha