Tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) in lymphadenopathy and bone marrow involvement: histopathological and serological study.

Serum samples were collected from 40 patients with enlarged lymph nodes. Lymph node and bone marrow biopsies were performed and processed as usual. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) was determined in the sera by factor test human TNF alpha ELISA kit. Histopathological studies of lymph node and bone marrow biopsies were evaluated. The data obtained from this study showed that bone marrow was involved in only 5 patients and their TNF showed the lowest level in this study with a mean level 50 pg/ml. The highest level of TNF occurred in cases with granulomatous lymphadenitis (124 pg/ml) followed by reactive lymphadenitis (105 pg/ml). It can be considered that TNF reflects the immune status of the patient and its study in the serum can be of help in evaluating the progress of the disease. An extended study is need to evaluate the role of TNF-alpha as a prognostic marker in malignancy.