Effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor on Human Myeloid Leukemia Cells
Author Information
Author(s): R.D. Clutterbuck, R.L. Powles, J.L. Millar
Primary Institution: Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital
Hypothesis
Does recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF) induce differentiation in human myeloid leukemia cells in vivo?
Conclusion
The study found that rhTNF has an anti-leukemic effect on human EK.AML xenografts, but its effectiveness in vivo was limited compared to in vitro results.
Supporting Evidence
- Maximum stimulation of superoxide was observed at rhTNF concentrations of 100Uml-1 and above.
- At a concentration of 1 U ml-1 rhTNF, 16% of cells contained detectable non-specific esterase compared with < 1% in control cultures.
- rhTNF incubation reduced plating efficiency to 20% and 25% of the control values in two experiments.
- 100% of cell inoculi from control cultures produced palpable tumors 12 days after implant, whereas no tumors arose from cells incubated with rhTNF.
Takeaway
Researchers tested a substance called rhTNF to see if it could help treat leukemia by making the cancer cells behave more like normal cells, but it didn't work as well in real mice as it did in lab tests.
Methodology
The study involved growing HL60 cells and primary AML cells in culture and as xenografts in immune-deprived mice, followed by treatment with rhTNF and assessment of cell maturation and tumor growth.
Limitations
The effectiveness of rhTNF in vivo was not as strong as in vitro, possibly due to the presence of other growth factors in the tumor environment.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.005
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website