Evaluation of biometric parameters of Morris hepatoma after application of human recombinant tumor necrosis factor.

The effect of human recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha (h rec TNF-alpha) on the growth of Morris hepatoma 5123 implanted in the skeletal muscles of the thigh of Buffalo rats was investigated. The cytokine was repeatedly given in an intratumor administration (i.t.) in dose of 1.5 x 10(4) U once a day in regimens of four or eight days. Comparative groups consisted of animals which were given saline i.t. Control groups included healthy rats subjected to local cytokine effect. The experiments revealed an inhibitory effects of the preparation on the growth of tumors. Biometric parameters of the tumors induced indicated that the inhibition of Morris hepatoma was most effective after the eighth dose of h rec TNF-alpha. The administration of fourfold dose resulted in an initial loss of body mass increase. However, when injected eight times, the factor produced a relative tolerance reflected in minor reduction of actual body mass. The estimation of survival time in rats injected i.t. with h rec TNF-alpha, compared to those given saline, revealed statistically significant differences at the eighth repeated dose.