Transient increase of plasma interleukin-6 after infusion of recombinant tumor necrosis factor α 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 modulate the biological activity of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha. It has been shown in several studies that the cytokine Interleukin -6 (IL)-6 is produced in response to various hormones and other citokines eg. Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF alpha). In our study we focused on the Interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion in response to TNF alpha administration in 12 patients undergoing TNF alpha biotherapy due to advanced neoplastic disease. Plasma IL-6 was estimated 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 administered as therapy for advanced cancer on IL-6 secretion.