[Effect of intravenous treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with advanced cancer--phase I clinical trials].

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is the protein produced by the activated macrophages with the ability to produce haemorrhagic necrosis of tumor, and in some cases complete tumor remission in vivo, as well as cytotoxicity of neoplastic cells in vitro. These properties made us undertake clinical studies on THF. We performed a Phase I assessment of recombinant human THF alpha in 16 patients with advanced solid neoplasms. Therapy consisted of a 30 minute intravenous (IV) infusion on day i thraugh 5, every 2 weeks. Daily doses ranged from 25 micrograms/m2 to 200 micrograms/m2. Side effects hypotension tachycardia nausea or vomiting, headache. No major changes in liver or renal function were seen.