melphalan + tumor necrosis factor alpha

Melphalan + tumor necrosis factor alpha is a combination therapy used primarily in the setting of isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for the treatment of locally advanced or nonresectable extremity soft tissue sarcomas, melanoma, and Kaposi sarcoma. Melphalan is an alkylating agent that crosslinks DNA and inhibits cancer cell replication. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine with direct cytotoxic effects on tumor vasculature and can increase vascular permeability, enhancing drug delivery to tumors. When administered together via ILP—a regional chemotherapy technique that allows high local drug concentrations while minimizing systemic toxicity—this combination has demonstrated high response rates and significant limb salvage outcomes in patients who would otherwise require amputation. The mechanism involves synergistic destruction of tumor-associated blood vessels by TNF-α and direct cytotoxicity from melphalan[1][2][3][5].

Brand names

BeromunAlkeran

Other names

melphalan plus tumor necrosis factor alphaTNF-α + melphalanTNF-alpha + melphalan