TNF and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Meanwhile, changes in the levels of endogenous bioactive cytokines, including IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and TGF-β, which are usually diagnosed as indicators of cancer progression, were further assessed by ELISA of serum IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and TGF-β levels in clinical subjects, and we found significant differences in serum inflammatory cytokines in patients with ESCC compared with healthy controls (Fig. 1E).