The mechanism of macrophage cell death triggered by a high intracellular burden of Mtb complex bacilli is independent of TNF-α.8 Evidence that IFN-γ induces TNF receptor expression on tumor cells lines17 led us to speculate that IFN-γ might confer sensitivity to TNF-α in macrophage dying with a high intracellular bacillary load. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is neoplasm.