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TNF alpha

By Dean Goodless, M.D., About.com

Updated: October 22, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD

Definition: A protein manufactured by white blood cells to stimulate and activate the immune system in response to infection or cancer.

Overproduction of this compound can lead to disease where the immune systems acts against healthy tissues, such as arthritis or psoriasis. Some treatments for these diseases utilize drugs that bind and inactivate TNF alpha, thereby reducing unhealthy inflammation.

Also Known As: Tumor Necrosis Factor

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