Elsevier

Medical Hypotheses

Volume 21, Issue 3, November 1986, Pages 267-271
Medical Hypotheses

Free radicals in immunological killing: The case of tumour necrotising factor (TNF)

https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-9877(86)90019-8Get rights and content

Abstract

There is now considerable evidence that in many circumstances free radical activity constitutes not only an early but also an essential event in the causation of cell death in vivo. It is proposed that the cytotoxic effect of TNF against tumours may be exerted in like manner, by stimulating the generation of hydroxyl radicals which leads in turn to an upset of energy metabolism, and hence to cell death. Simple experimental protocols are indicated for testing the proposal at various stages.

References (36)

  • EA Carswell et al.

    An endotoxin-induced serum factor that causes necrosis of tumours

  • JM Clark

    Oxygen toxicity

  • WB Coley

    Further observations upon the treatment of malignant tumours with the toxins of erysipelas and Bacillus prodigiosus, with a report of 160 cases

    Johns Hopkins Hosp Bull

    (1896)
  • I Fridovich

    Discussion

  • DL Granger et al.

    Sites of inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport in macrophage-injured neoplastic cells

    J Cell Biol

    (1982)
  • K Haranaka et al.

    Anti-tumour activity of murine tumour necrosis factor (TNF) against transplanted murine tumours and heterotransplanted human tumours in nude mice

    Int J Cancer

    (1984)
  • GRN Jones

    Cancer: energy uncoupling as a primary event in endotoxin-induced necrosis of the S180 sarcoma in situ

    Biochem Soc Trans

    (1977)
  • GRN Jones

    Early mitochondrial damage in the induction of haemorrhagic necrosis in the Crocker sarcoma (S180) by endotoxin

    J Cancer Res Clin Oncol

    (1979)
  • Cited by (15)

    • Radiation takes its Toll

      2015, Cancer Letters
      Citation Excerpt :

      The infiltration of immune cells that TLR signaling generates, initially innate players such as polymorphs then monocytes, possibly followed by lymphocytes, drives a pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant environment – i.e. a bona fide inflammatory response and eventually turns it into one that will allow resolution of inflammation, tissue repair, regeneration and healing [41,42] and/or in the case of lymphocyte involvement, immune reactivity. It is in the nature of an inflammatory response to cause additional tissue damage – at least initially – through excessive Reactive Oxygen or Nitrogen Species (ROS/RNS) production, proteolytic enzyme activity and self-perpetuating cytokine loops [42–44]. This is the point of contact with radiation that generates ROS/RNS, a response that is perpetuated by pro-inflammatory cytokines further driving ROS/RNS production including superoxide anion, hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, peroxinitrite and others [45,46].

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text