Inhibitory effect of the human recombinant tumor necrosis factor on the growth of the Morris hepatoma in rats.

The effect of the human recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha (h rec TNF-alpha) on the transplantable Morris hepatoma 5123 was studied in Buffalo rats. The cytokine was repeatedly administered intratumorly (i.t.) in a dose of 1.5 x 10(4) U once a day in a cycle of four and eight days. The control groups consisted of animals given saline i.t. The experiments revealed an inhibitory effect of the h rec TNF-alpha upon the growth of neoplastic tumors. The biometric parameters of the tumors indicated that the inhibition of the Morris hepatoma was most effective after eight repeated doses of TNF. After injections of TNF-alpha, the tumors presented extensive hemorrhagic necrosis, the regressive alterations being found mainly in the central and intermediate tumor zones. In the early phase of the tumor growth, neoplastic tissue necrosis prevailed, as well as hemorrhages within the necrotic masses, necrosis of the blood vessel walls and thrombi in their lumina. In the later period, numerous fibres of the fibrous tissue, richly vascularized, occurred in the peripheral and intermediate zones. Clusters of eosinophilic granulocytes and macrophages with apoptotic bodies in the cytoplasm were seen on the border of the necrotic foci.