Controlling malignant pericardial effusion by intrapericardial administration of recombinant mutant human tumor necrosis factor in patients with carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of injecting recombinant mutant human tumor necrosis factor (rmhTNF) into pericardial cavity of carcinoma patients with malignant pericardial effusion. Methods: In 20 cases of malignant pericardial effusion, the intrapericardial catheter was inserted into pericardial cavity, and then rmhTNF of 1.5 × 107 U was infused. The infusion was repeated every 5-7 days with the total 4-6 times. If the effusion disappeared, rmhTNF was then used 2 more times and then the intrapericardial catheter was pulled out. Results: Of 20 patients, 14 were complete response (CR), 4 were partial response (PR) and 2 no change (NC). The disappearance of effusion in 6 cases lasted for more than 6 months. Conclusion: Injecting rmhTNF into pericardial cavity may be a better way to control malignant pericardial effusion and has mild side effects.

rmhTNF-α Combined with Cisplatin Inhibits Proliferation of A549 Cell Line In Vitro

Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of recombinant mutant human tumor necrosis factor-α(rmhTNF-α) in combination with cisplatin on human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549. Methods Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 was treated with varying concentrations of rmhTNF-α(0.38, 0.75, 1.50, 6.00 and 12.00 IU/ml) or cisplatin(3.91, 7.81, 15.63, 31.25 and 62.50 μg/ml) for 24 hours. Viable cell number was analyzed by using crystal violet staining. The inhibitory rates of A549 cells growth by the two drugs were calculated. For analyzing whether there was a synergistic effect of rmhTNF-α with cisplatin, A549 cells were treated with 0.75 IU/ml rmhTNF-α and increased concentrations of cisplatin. Results rmhTNF-α or cisplatin inhibited the growth of A549 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of rmhTNF-α combined with cisplatin was significantly greater than cisplatin alone at the same concentration(all P<0.01). Conclusion rmhTNF-α combined with cisplatin might have synergistic inhibitory effect on human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549.

Influence of rmhTNF on the Chemotherapy Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer

The efficacy and safety of the recombinant mutant human tumor necrosis factor （rmhTNF） combined with chemotherapy vs chemotherapy alone in the treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer （SCLC） were evaluated in this study. The selected 37 patients with SCLC were divided into experimental group （n= 18） and control group （n= 19）. Both groups were subjected to EP regimen. While in the experimental group, a regimen of 4 × 10^6 U/m^2 rmhTNF intramuscular injection was given once a day from the 1st to 7th day and 11th to 17th day on the chemotherapy cycle. Twenty-one days were as a chemotherapy cycle and all patients received treatment with 2 cycles. The response rate was 83.3 % （15/18） in the experimental group and 63.2 % （12/19） in the control group respectively （P〈0.05）. The KPS score after treatment was 78. 4±9.6 in the experimental group and 71.2±9.7 in the control group with the difference being significant （P〈0. 05）. No severe adverse effects occurred in the two groups. It was concluded that the curative effectiveness of the rmhTNF combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of SCLC was more satisfactory than chemotherapy alone. The former could obviously improve the quality of life of the patients with SCLC.