Tumor necrosis factor:One of multipleproteinscapable of inducingnecrosis(death) of tumor cells that possess a widerangeofproinflammatoryactions. AbbreviatedTNF. TNF is a multifunctionalcytokinewith effects onlipidmetabolism,coagulation, insulin resistance, and the function ofendothelialcells liningbloodvessels. Drugs that block the action of TNF have been shown to be beneficialinreducing theinflammationin inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
