[ noun ] the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply) <noun.phenomenon>
Necrosis \Ne*cro"sis\ (n[-e]*kr[=o]"s[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ne`krwsis, fr. nekruy^n to make dead, to mortify, nekro`s a dead body.] 1. (Med.) The pathologic death of part of a tissue due to irreversible damage. Contrast to {necrobiosis}, which is a normal death of cells in a tissue. Formerly, applied primarily to death of bone tissue. [1913 Webster +PJC]
2. (Bot.) A disease of trees, in which the branches gradually dry up from the bark to the center.
While tumor necrosis factor was first noticed for its ability to shrink tumors, doctors believe its most important role in the body is causing inflammation in response to injury.
The hybrid protein was the product of the gene for interferon, a protein the body naturally produces to fight viruses and cancer, and the gene for tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, another natural human protein that has anti-cancer effects.
Animal research suggests that IL-2/TIL may work even better, for instance, when combined with alpha interferon or tumor necrosis factor, he says.
Fajardo said that fits in with research that found higher levels of tumor necrosis factor in malaria patients who suffered cerebral malaria than patients who did not.