Effect of tumour necrosis factor on growth of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) suppressed the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) cells in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of EAT cells to TNF for as little as 4 h totally abolished the transplantability of the tumour. At the same time, the rate of glucose uptake and extent of leucine incorporation were significantly reduced. Prolonged treatment with TNF resulted in extensive cell lysis, as determined by trypan blue exclusion and by release of radioactivity from [3H]thymidine-labelled EAT cells. The significance of these observations are discussed.