Chemical modification of natural human tumor necrosis factor-alpha with polyethylene glycol increases its anti-tumor potency

Jpn J Cancer Res. 1994 Jan;85(1):9-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1994.tb02879.x.

Abstract

Natural human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was chemically modified with an active ester of monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (PEG). The molecular weight of PEG-modified TNF-alpha depended on the reaction time as well as the initial molar ratio of PEG to TNF-alpha. The specific activity of modified TNF-alpha was gradually reduced with increase in the degree of PEG-modification, but the plasma half-life of TNF-alpha was increased by up to 40-fold. Modified TNF-alpha showed approximately 100 times greater anti-tumor potency than unmodified TNF-alpha. Covalent attachment of PEG to TNF-alpha thus increased the bioavailability of TNF-alpha, and may facilitate its potential therapeutic use.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Physical
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Fibrosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Fibrosarcoma / metabolism
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacokinetics
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / chemistry
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacokinetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology*

Substances

  • PEG-modified tumor necrosis factor-alpha
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Polyethylene Glycols