Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine hormone-like protein produced by blood cells (white blood cells) as a natural anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antiparasitic agent.
The importance of TNF research cannot be overestimated. Cytokine protein is one of the main “building blocks” of human immunological defense against viruses, fungi, and infections. In addition, it plays an important role in cancer, allowing tumor growth to be controlled.
Over the past decades, good results have been obtained from the use of a combination of recombinant TNF and chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat cancers of the extremities (sarcoma, melanoma), as well as in isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) in inoperable patients.
The result of many years of research was the registration of TNF drugs in the EU in 2006. However, this is far from the limit. Today, scientists in advanced laboratories continue to study and develop tumor necrosis factor derivatives with low systemic toxicity.
Russian scientists have not ignored TNF research. In 1990, a revolutionary medical drug was created in the Russian Federation, obtained by merging the protein compounds TNF and Thymosin-a1. Due to the special composition, the products are distinguished by such characteristics as:
- enhanced immunostimulating properties;
- reduced toxicity;
- maintained high antitumor activity.