title: Increased tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA after cellular exposure to ionizing radiation.
abstract: We report that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA is increased after treatment with x-rays in certain human sarcoma cells. An increase in TNF-alpha mRNA is accompanied by the increased production of TNF-alpha protein. TNF-alpha enhances radiation lethality in both TNF-alpha-producing and -nonproducing tumor cells. These data suggest that, in addition to the direct cytotoxic effects of x-rays, production of TNF-alpha may add to radiation lethality through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Combinations of TNF-alpha and therapeutic radiation may be useful in clinical cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Michael Reese/University of Chicago Center for Radiation Therapy.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Hallahan
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Spriggs
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Beckett
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kufe
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Weichselbaum
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012509:Sarcoma; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha