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tumor necrosis factor (TOO-mer neh-KROH-sis FAK-ter)

 A protein made by white blood cells in response to an antigen (substance that causes the immune system to make a specific immune response) or infection. Tumor necrosis factor can also be made in the laboratory. It may boost a person’s immune response, and also may cause necrosis (cell death) of some types of tumor cells. Tumor necrosis factor is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It is a type of cytokine. Also called TNF.



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Next Definitions:tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10A, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10B, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, tumor promotion, tumor suppressor gene

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