TNF and colorectal carcinoma: Recent experimental and clinical studies on the role of TNF-α have demonstrated that the TNF-α is a key player in progression of human CRC.[6–9] Balkwill et al. have shown that if the level of TNF-α is elevated in patients with CRC they have a poor prognosis.[6] Levels of plasma cytokines, including TNF-α, have been shown to predict clinical outcome in patients with advanced CRC.[9]