title: Fluctuation of endogenous TNF alpha concentration in plasma in advanced cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis of a fluctuation of circulating levels of endogenous Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF alpha) in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of TNF alpha were measured at 8 a.m., 3 p.m., midnight and 3 a.m. in 21 patients with advanced cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum TNF alpha levels were substantially increased in patients with advanced cancer as compared to healthy subjects. Peak value appeared at 3 a.m., and gradually declined to very low levels in the afternoon (3 p.m.). Using cosinor least square methods we could not find the circadian rhythm of TNF alpha.
authors.affiliation: 5th Department of Internal Medicine, Silesian Medical University, Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muc-Wierzgoń
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Madej
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baranowski
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kokot
mesh_terms: D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012636:Secretory Rate; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D004837:Epinephrine