The report presents the results of the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal neoplasms in 17 patients who received intravenous infusions of human recombinant tumour necrosis factor (hr TNF) alpha. A dose escalation scheme was used to establish a maximal, well tolerated dose for each patient. The dose was limited by hr TNF alpha side effects. We noticed a transient non-inflammatory lesion of the renal tubules and glomerules that tended to subside spontaneously after the treatment had been completed. The severity of renal lesion increased with the increase of hr TNF alpha doses and the duration of the therapy. The patients did not require any additional, supportive medication.

Keywords: tumour necrosis factor (TNF), nephrotoxicity, advanced neoplasms