tumor necrosis factor

American  

noun

1. a protein, produced in humans and other animals, that is destructive to cells showing abnormally rapid growth: identical with cachectin. TNF

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tumor necrosis factor Scientific  

1. A protein that is produced by monocytes and macrophages and is able to attack and destroy tumor cells. It can also exacerbate certain chronic inflammatory diseases.

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Example Sentences

Among the hundreds of cytokines that exist, tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, stands tall as the most potent and the most studied for nearly the past 50 years.

From Salon • Jan. 1, 2023

Several targeted therapies focus on a particularly powerful cytokine called tumor necrosis factor, or TNF.

From Scientific American • Sep. 20, 2021

It blocks another cytokine, tumor necrosis factor, which, like il-6 is released by white blood cells in sepsis patients.

From New York Times • Nov. 8, 2020

These included tumor necrosis factor alpha, which is also responsible for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

From The Verge • Mar. 25, 2015

The key player in the diabetes study is a protein of the immune system called tumor necrosis factor, or TNF.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 26, 2011