| Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an extraordinarily pleiotropic cytokine with a central role in immune homeostasis, inflammation,
and host defense. Dependent on the cellular context, it can induce diverse effects, such as apoptosis, necrosis, angiogenesis,
immune cell activation, differentiation, and cell migration. TNF is a double-dealer. On one hand, TNF could be an endogenous tumor
promoter, because TNF stimulates cancer cells' growth, proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and tumor angiogenesis. On the other
hand, TNF could be a cancer killer. Therefore, modulation of the activity of the TNF will offer possibilities for cancer therapy. |
