Wiktionary
tumor necrosis factor
n. (context medicine English) Any of several polypeptide hormones, produced by macrophages, that can destroy some cancer cells
WordNet
tumor necrosis factor
n. a proinflammatory cytokine that is produced by white blood cells (monocytes and macrophages); has an antineoplastic effect but causes inflammation (as in rheumatoid arthritis) [syn: tumour necrosis factor, TNF]