TNF and neoplasm: Autoimmuity-induced chronic inflammation and tissue damage may produce inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor growth factor (TGF)-β, and IL-10, leading to the failure of Treg-mediated immune tolerance and stimulating the development of malignant tumors through various mechanisms such as DNA damage, inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes, triggering of angiogenesis, and enhancing invasiveness (17).