These data suggest that proTα- and proTα(100–109)-matured DCs are immunocompetent and in the presence of specific tumor antigenic epitopes, favor the in vitro production of pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α), rather than anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) and IL-17 by CD4+ T cells, inducing TH1-type immune responses. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is neoplasm.