TNF and colonic neoplasm: In ulcerative colitis (UC), neutrophils accumulate within the colonic mucosa and generate microabscesses, which cause mucosal inflammation and ulcers.(32–35) Prolonged inflammation causes continuous exposure to free radicals, thereby increasing the risk of developing colon cancer.(36,37) In Crohn’s disease, intraluminal antigens derived from the diet and/or microbiota activate mucosal macrophages, which produce inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8.